2008 Baron Philippe de Rothschild Escudo Rojo

Community Tasting Notes (29) Avg Score: 86.1 points

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  1/3/2013 - Julian Gray wrote: 88 Points

  Youthful appearance. Dirt, rubber, earth, and spice box aromas give way to blue and purple fruit, prunes, spicy licorice, and peppermint flavors. The flavors envelop the palate with a thick coat of black fruit, the plum midpalate quickly evolving into prunes before segueing into an espresso finish and a cigar box persistence. This is full throttle, with nice acidity and a tannic presence. At $8 a bottle it was a nice surprise. 10/29/2012

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  12/19/2012 - Timbalimba wrote: 88 Points

  Good purple colour, still youthful. Fine, serious nose with dusty Cab aromas, a hint of rubber, secondary tones, herbs. Full bodied, smooth, fleshy, with cassis fruit, chocolate, spice. Good length and balance. Very nice, true to type (reminds me of Los Vascos in its heyday), perfectly mature and balanced. Drink now.

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  5/26/2012 - oinos alopeke wrote: 84 Points

  I brought it on an extended family camping trip, knowing that my brother-in-law, serious wine drinker, loves S. American wines and Malbecs. I wasn't thrilled about this bottle, but he liked it and drank it. Something in the S. Americans that I've had recently has turned me off a bit--something a bit stinky in the nose. Maybe I've spent too much time getting aclimatized to current mid-range French wines, I don't know. I have one more bottle, I'll give it a try with him when we meet up again for a wedding in two weeks.

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  3/9/2012 - thelinebreak wrote: 88 Points

  When I uncorked it, it gave a tremendous pop, and as I poured it into the decanter, I got a very wonderful smell of juicy fruits and berries.
  
  From the back of the bottle:
  
  [. . .] the Rothschild name comes from the German phrase “Das Rote Schild,” a reference to the red shield which originally served as the Family sign. “Escudo Rojo” is the literal Spanish translation.
  
  “The Red Shield” of wine. Hmm. Well, I’ve been shielding you enough from a description. So in the words of the French, allons-y le bouclier rouge.
  
  The back of the bottle also says this wine is blend of “four traditional grape varieties,” though it doesn’t say which ones, and I can’t find any sources on the internet. Based just on the waft I got from pouring I’m going to guess one of them is a Cabernet Sauvignon, and I’m positive about that, and I’m going to guess Syrah and Merlot.
  
  Now, that I’ve smelled it with integrity, I’m sticking with my guess. I’m also adding that I love this nose with cherries, peppers, and a hints of cantaloupe and earthiness. It smells juicy. It smells like there’s a Washington Merlot in there, which may be why I’m getting juicy green apples. Oh, and vanilla. And some cola. My gosh, I’m drooling over the possibilities.
  
  The color is dark, royal purple that is 85% opaque.
  
  The finish is tart as you might get from a green apple. Why do I always pick up the finish first?
  
  It’s also a bit bitter on the finish.
  
  The nose is way better than the taste. The nose is all hope and warm fuzzies of goodness. The taste is kind of ordinary, or maybe my expectations were set to high from the nose.
  
  You know what. I’m changing my Merlot from above to Carmenere. That’s what is hurting this wine. To me Carmenere smells like Merlot, but it doesn’t taste like. It’s like Merlot is The Beatles and the Carmenere is the Dollar Store version of The Beatles, or The Monkees. (I thank Harvey for that Beatles-Monkees analogy.) Carmenere’s DNA is very similar to Merlot, too. Actually, the more I sip it, the more I pick up some luscious cherries and pepper. It’s getting better with each sip. The bitterness and tartness are fading. It’s juicy and dry at the same time. It’s juicy on the palate and dry on the gums. It’s lip smacking. There’s some smoke, too.
  
  Anyway, I’m liking this more and more. I think it will go good with a spinach salad that has crumbled bacon. It should also complement smoked gouda cheese.
  
  I’ll say 88 points, or a B+.
  
  I don’t remember what I paid for it, but I wouldn’t pay more than $12 or $13.
  
  Oh so I did some more research. This wine is:
  •Cabernet Sauvignon 40%
  •Carmenere 37%
  •Syrah 18%
  •Cabernet Franc 5%
  
  Okay. I taste that Cabernet Franc, now, but it’s good. I usually despise the Cabernet Franc, but it’s hiding itself inside the Carmenere. It’s wearing Carmenere camouflage.
  
  To read the tasting notes I found, which also includes the blending notes, click Baron Philippe De Rothschild Escudo Rojo 2008 Tasting Notes. It even has a map so you can locate Maipo Valley, Chile.
  
  Their tasting notes say it’s “round, fruity.” I say it’s ”cubical and dark berry.”
  
  For a full review, go here: http://thelinebreak.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/in-pursuit-of-the-juiciest-wine-day-111-escudo-rojo-2008/

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  3/3/2012 - Acucole wrote: 85 Points

  Pom cherry slightly sour nose. Fruity, high acid, some pepper, bright short to medium finish, slight tannin aftertaste.

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