2005 Veramonte Primus Red Wine, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Angela Logomasini — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:06:12 +0000

Vinography blogger Alder Yarrow suggests that readers of the Weekly Wine Pick try the 2005 Veramonte Primus Red Wine from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Yarrow says he chooses this wine “because it’s a fabulous value and a really tasty red that will go with the heartier dishes of winter, including, of course, any red meat you might want to serve with it. The wine is also a great introduction to a region that American wine lovers should pay more attention to.” Primus is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère that is aged it in both French and American oak for 12-18 months. Carmenère died out in Bordeaux during the outbreak of phylloxera, an insect that wreaked havoc on European vines during the 1860s. Fortunately the grape had been imported to Chile, where it now flourishes and is one of Chile’s signature grapes. According to the winery website, Carmenère adds “an exotic spice and a rich, sensuous texture to blends.” Yarrow offers more details in a blog post on the topic.

Yarrow started his Vinography blog in 2003, before there were any wine bloggers to be found. In addition to being a pioneer, Adler provides first-rate reviews that have garnered much attention and have generated speaking engagements around the world for Yarrow. He also serves as a member of Sommelier Journal editorial board. FIND IT!

WeeklyWinePick.com » Carmenère

2005 Veramonte Primus Red Wine, Casablanca Valley, Chile