Friday Sips

The history of viticulture in Chile’s Colchagua Valley goes back to 1892 when the Silva family started planting vineyards. This estate’s significance in this country cannot be understated by any means. The family has always strived to produce wines based on place and continually keeps their eyes open with innovative, extensive studies and investment to unearth and expose their various micro-terroirs.

The 2012 Cabernet featured today is from a single vineyard site on the estate and is wickedly delicious. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is the kind of wine that admirers of this grape all seem to want which is something under 20 bucks that tastes like it should cost much more. A voluptuous and flirtatious offering that doesn't have a mean bone in its body, this Cab possesses smooth, broad aromas and flavors of cassis, black cherry, aromatic tobacco and Indian spices. Offers up a more dry and tangy profile than a North American Cab with the finish being impressively exaggerated and revealing the earth tones from where it comes from. Very engaging to drink over the next 6-8 years.

Carmenere is a grape from the Cabernet family originally planted in Bordeaux’s Medoc region. Before phylloxera, this varietal would provide power, density and color akin to what Petit Verdot does. One of the problems for this grape when it was more widely planted in Bordeaux was the cool, wet spring weather would often lead to coulure, which is where the buds never flower. Officially, a few hundred acres remain in France rendering it virtually extinct. During the 19th century, Chilean growers from Bordeaux imported it into the country and the grape has thrived there due to different climactic conditions. There is a caveat here though, when Carmenere is good, it can be a joy to drink, when Carmenere is bad…

Casa Silva’s version is an assertive charmer. Leather, spice, tea-leaf, black licorice and black plum shine on the nose and follow through to a texture that is broad, polished and persistent having none of the mean-green tones that many not-so-good offerings give off. Plenty of stand-up backbone this wine will pair with spicy meatballs, leg of lamb or chili relleno.

What the hell is up with going to the movie theater these days? Currently, it seems as though when you go to order a soda, it comes in three sizes: large, extra-large and bed-wetter. Truth be told, we love this white wine so much, we would actually prefer a super-sized version, but since they only come in 750 ML bottles, we’ll just have to stick to drinking several at a time and we encourage you to do so, too!

Like Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Gris is a grape that has a pinkish-gray color yet without skin contact, the resulting wine comes off as a white wine. Differing from sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris has fuller, fleshy characteristics and less of the explosive aromatic profile. From vines planted in 1912, the nose here is guileful with scents of honeydew melon, yellow flowers, ginger and smoke. No oak is utilized so its intensity and palate coverage comes from the ancient vines. Lots of lemony, sappy tones but closes with bursting, high-toned citrus aspects. This wine requires a substantial seafood dish and one where you shouldn’t be afraid to use a little bit of exotic flavors and spices.

A relatively young estate founded and owned by Swiss lawyer Mauro von Siebenthal, the vineyards are located in the Aconcagua region 40 miles north of Santiago. The climate here is warm, oceanic and quite Mediterranean.

This big red blend is based around 85% Syrah blended with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon & 5% Petit Verdot. There is certainly no shortage of power here but with the vineyards being at just under 1500 feet in elevation, there is also ample vibrancy to the wine. Deep, dark, ripe, dusty fruit with coffee and blueberry scents play off smoky tones that creep through and add even more complexity as it opens. On entry, plenty of cushiony fruit and towards the middle, it develops good backbone, freshness and pronounced white pepper. Lots of fruit-driven expansiveness on the finish, this wine requires a dish that is equally as vociferous as the wine. Drink now and over the next 5-7 years.