Chile (Miscellaneous) - READ ME

The end of the line in Chile. These shots are from Torres Del Paine national park in Patagonia. It was a half-day hike to get this spot. Well worth it.

Miscellaneous is not usually appealing to a reader but you should read this post. We cover off some of the odds and ends during our time in Chile.

Altair Sideral 2003. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and a touch of Sangiovese. Left bank style (80+% Cabernet). The Syrah and Sangiovese help bring it together. Nice full bodied wine with a moderate alcohol level. Opens up over an hour. It is at its peak but you can enjoy for another year or two. QPR High, USD23 (got 6 in March via winelibary but they sold out) Wow. Yummy. Must Buy (good luck)!

Concha y Toro Amelia 2005 Chardonnay. Pineapple in a Chardonnay? Vanilla in Chardonnay? Baked Pineapple. NO. Not right!

O. Fournier Chile (see Mendoza 2.09.09).

2008 Urban. Merlot, Carignan, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon. Inexpensive and not good. Very Green. No structure.

2008 Centauri Blend. Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Marginally better but I think the Carignan in both cases was picked early.

Ron Zacapa 23 Year Old Rum (Guatemala). Nice. Tightly controlled recipe and firmly regulated aging standards by the government.

Chile Recap

Wines

Due to the earthquake we just scratched the surface. Casablanca was very pleasant and we really enjoyed the wines from Kingston Family. Altair Sideral was by far the best value and it was a really exciting wine (still have 2 bottles left).

Beer

Great beer country. Better than Argentina. Big fan of the Kross Stout.

Food

Did I mention the Patagonian Lamb...

Chile (Casablanca) - Emiliana 3.16.10

Organic and Biodynamic (and not so much)

Great idea and an interesting venture from Chile. Emiliana did not start out as an organic or biodynamic venture. Founded in 1986 as Bodegas y Vinedos Santa Emiliana, they did not become a certified organic winery until 2001 (the first in Chile). Since then, I would say it has been a bit uphill. Bottom-line is that they have over 3800 acres in Chile so they produce a lot of wine. Currently, only one wine, the 'iconic' G is produced from a 100% biodynamic and organic vineyard. Unfortunately, this was not offered as part of the tasting.

They have Chilean labels (Adobe, Novas, Coyam, G) and US labels (Walnut Crest, Natura, Coyam, G). Start with the 'basico' wines and work you way to the 'premium' ones.

A disclaimer: The basico wines of Adobe/Walnut Crest are not organic but they are produced in an ISO 14001 certified winery (i.e. not so much).

The tasting room was modern with a nice outdoor patio which we opted for since it was the end of the day and Dagny needed some entertainment.

2009 Adobe Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (Not Organic) - crisp but green and grassy. A hint of lemon.

2008 Novas Chardonnay (Organic) - in 60% American oak (80% new) and 40% steel tank. High alcohol at 14.5%. Plenty of oak notes. Not much else.

Side Note: Novas in spanish = DON'T GO!

2008 Emiliana Pinot Noir Reserva Especial (Organic) - Good acidity but not complex. Fruity wine with a bit of earth. Perhaps styled towards old world but barreled in American oak (not new).

2007 Coyam (organic) - Wines Spectator 90 points. Not a Suro family 90 point wine. Perhaps an 85 point wine... Coyam means oak tree. 14 months in new oak (80% French and 20% American). Native yeasts. Fruit was from the Colchagua Valley not Casablanca. High tannins. Green. I tasted stems.

Recap

Winery

Emiliana Organic & Biodynamic Vineyards

Wines

2009 Adobe Sauvignon Blanc Reserva - QPR Low-Mid, USD11

2008 Novas Chardonnay - QPR Low, USD10

2008 Emiliana Pinot Noir Reserva Especial - QPR Mid, USD12.5

2007 Coyam Syrah/Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon - QPR Low-Mid, USD30

Wines we bought to drink

None

Where to find it in the US

None that I know of for the premium labels but the Walnut Crest label, at an average of USD5, I am sure will turn up at any big retailers.

Contacts

www.emiliana.cl

www.emilianausa.com