2017 Clos de Luz Carménère Massal 1945

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 91.2 points

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  4/1/2021 - der Schmecker Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Phew! I was all set to abandon Carménère thinking it was Carignane (which it's not). Carménère is one of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, although admittedly it falls closer to Petit Verdot than any of the other Bordeaux varietals; nonetheless, it is a member of the Cabernet (Franc) family of wines and this deep purple, mellow wine is delicious! Gorgeous wine. Old vineyards, indigenous yeast. Made with traditional winemaking techniques. 13.5% alcohol. Hallelujah! I'll buy again.

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  10/6/2020 - Odfalzso wrote: 90 Points

  chilean bordeaux-type wine w/ bell pepper, surprising depth after aeration

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  6/25/2020 - bvivio Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Appearance: deep violet, medium staining, medium+ tearing, no sediment nor rim variation.
  
  Nose: clean, medium+ intensity, developing, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, ripe raspberry, pungent savory herbs, green bell pepper, dusty earth, wet soil, coffee grounds, smoke, toast, walnut.
  
  Palate: dry, medium acid, medium tannin, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), medium+ body, medium+ intensity, long finish, black plum, blackberry, black cherry, savory herbs, green bell pepper, dusty earth, wet soil, coffee grounds, smoke, dried blueberry, prune, walnut.
  
  Overall: A rather nicely balanced Chilean Carmenere, both in terms of structure and flavors. The acid is sufficient to keep the wine relatively fresh, the tannins are present but unobtrusive, and the alcohol is moderate. On the palate it feels creamy, but not hot nor heavy. The aromas are complex with good fruit, varietally correct and appetizing pyrazines, and some other earthy and oaky notes. The palate is more fruit forward than the nose would suggest, and the finish is very long with ripe and dried blue/black fruits. This tastes like a Chilean Carmenere but also feels like it would appeal to those who generally stay away from this particular variety. Well done!

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  5/24/2020 - bodell82 Likes this wine:

  Inky purple color. Ripe plum, violets, bell pepper greenness. Good structure. Day two, more wood and less bell pepper. Good now but palette is a little dense, will definitely improve.

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