picked up at £8 a bottle, which is great value. Stinks of Chile on the nose bags of spice and prominent mint. The palate had a fair degree of freshness to it, whilst remaining concentrated and rich. Really no room for complaints at this price.
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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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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.
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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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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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We have a pretty good, but not great combination of grape varietal blending, and wine making. This wine makes a statement. It may or may not match what your (or my) palate craves, but this is a serious wine. Very dark deep color. The nose explodes with some friendly, and not so friendly aromas. My first impression was big French oak, and I think I was a little confused. There is no doubt about the presence of oak, and especially a nice hint of vanilla, but, I think I was confusing that tell tail, rustic, earthy, fresh cut tree root aroma characteristic from the 37% Carmenere, with the inside of a wine barrel. In this instance, they smelled a lot alike, and even worked well together. Those typical of Chilean red wine flavors and aromas of black tea, coffee, tree roots, rotting leaves, and wet rock, among others, are quite subdued. Instead, we have an almost fruit forward, very rounded, though still full bodied big red wine. The considerable strawberry, dark cherry, and red raspberry fruit is competing with the non fruit flavors, and oak for center stage. It is very balanced. The tannins and alcohol are very well integrated. The bottle age and oak have helped round things out. Full throttle, sophisticated, polished red fruit finish.
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Jammy cassis, smoke and forest notes on the nose with a hint of eucalyptus. Despite the huge aromatics, it is rather reserved in its own way. Touch of oak on the finish. The more I drink of it, the more I like it. Elegant and finessed despite the heat. Drink now-2015. Food pairing: Grilled steak.
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Malgré la présence de fruit très mûr, voici un cru chilien élaboré dans un style français élégant. Pour l'amateur à la recherche de caractère et de matière à bon prix, ce beau rouge livre la marchandise. Un pinard moyennement corsé aux tannins veloutés qui en met plein la bouche. Servez cette aubaine avec la bavette à l'échalote.
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WSET Level 3, AI vancouver, August 3, 2010 clear, deep ruby core
on the nose, clean, medium intensity, youthful and smelling of cherries, raspberries and blueberries (dark fruit) with a geen/vegetal note (bellpepper), leafy, pepper, spices, vanilla
on the palate, dry, medium plus tannins, medium plus acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium intensity with notes of red, ripe and juicy fruits like cherries and raspberries, vegetal, spice, black pepper Medium plus finish
Good wine, drink now or can wait a bit.
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WSET Level 3 Part 2 Week 5 USA & South America (Downtown Vancouver [AI School]): Clear, Deep Ruby, Showing Sig Legs A: Clean, Med+ Intensity, Herbaceous[Tomato Stalk] Earth Soil, some fruit T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med Body, Med Intensity, Long Finish, Med+ Alc Ripe Juicy Cherry/Black, Herbaceous/more tom stalk, spice[Black Pepper]
Conc: Very good, balance of body and acid, could use I think some more bottle age
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Not bad. May be a bit early but after 30 to 45mins of decanting, it is just fine. Oak on the nose, not much but noticable. Coco comes after. I had this wrong perception that it has merlot but it turns out it has everything but merlot. Anyway it is a good wine but just as good as other Chilian wine at similar price range.
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WSET Level 3; 4/7/2010-7/21/2010 (London): WSET Systematic Approach - Group Appearance: clear, deep, ruby, legs. Nose: clean, medium (+), developing, ripe red cherry, candy, toast, cedar. Palate: dry, high acidity, medium (+) - high tannin, medium (+) alcohol (14%), medium (+) body, pronounced flavour intensity, cedar, black cherry, candy, medicine, long length. Conclusions: very good, ready to drink, but can develop further. Quoted Price: £9.99
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Remains one of my favorite cheap easy to find wines. Consistent year to year. Big raspberry nose. Palate is covered in black cherry, plum, and hints of leather.
Not the best wine ever, but an old reliable.
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9/24/2018 - BcDuncan Likes this wine: 88 Points
deep red colour, full bodied preserved well in my cellar
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2/23/2014 - PJT 1986 wrote: 88 Points
picked up at £8 a bottle, which is great value. Stinks of Chile on the nose bags of spice and prominent mint. The palate had a fair degree of freshness to it, whilst remaining concentrated and rich. Really no room for complaints at this price.
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7/12/2013 - Henrball wrote: 83 Points
Bom corpo, precisa respirar. Está no limite para ser apreciado.
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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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10/29/2012 - Baron Slick 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.
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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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1/28/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 88 Points
We have a pretty good, but not great combination of grape varietal blending, and wine making. This wine makes a statement. It may or may not match what your (or my) palate craves, but this is a serious wine. Very dark deep color. The nose explodes with some friendly, and not so friendly aromas. My first impression was big French oak, and I think I was a little confused. There is no doubt about the presence of oak, and especially a nice hint of vanilla, but, I think I was confusing that tell tail, rustic, earthy, fresh cut tree root aroma characteristic from the 37% Carmenere, with the inside of a wine barrel. In this instance, they smelled a lot alike, and even worked well together. Those typical of Chilean red wine flavors and aromas of black tea, coffee, tree roots, rotting leaves, and wet rock, among others, are quite subdued. Instead, we have an almost fruit forward, very rounded, though still full bodied big red wine. The considerable strawberry, dark cherry, and red raspberry fruit is competing with the non fruit flavors, and oak for center stage. It is very balanced. The tannins and alcohol are very well integrated. The bottle age and oak have helped round things out. Full throttle, sophisticated, polished red fruit finish.
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12/4/2011 - walkers wrote:
Very different impression that last tasting note. Smooth and balanced. Nice.
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10/15/2011 - J ARANTES wrote: 80 Points
Medium body, a little structure, but lacks balance
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9/22/2011 - Baldauf wrote: 90 Points
Macio, toque de Madeira, pouco ácido.
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7/27/2011 - Yiannis wrote: flawed
Maybe slightly corked. Will see how it evolves in bottle after opening...
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7/22/2011 - Sonia Schwartz wrote:
- Crimsom color.
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7/18/2011 - herivor wrote: 79 Points
Acompanhou a necessidade do contexto.
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6/27/2011 - herivor wrote: 84 Points
Deixou muito a desejar.
concentrado, mas pouco expressivo. Má sucedida tentativa de Bourdeaux.
ñ evolui, aguado.
Frustrante...
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6/27/2011 - herivor wrote: 84 Points
Deixou muito a desejar.
concentrado, mas pouco expressivo. Má sucedida tentativa de Bourdeaux.
ñ evolui, aguado.
Frustrante.
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6/13/2011 - walkers wrote:
Didn't care for this. Too big and black, not in the least bit subtle or elegant.
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5/28/2011 - FrozenPalate wrote: 85 Points
Solid red blend. Dark fruit flavours. Not particularly distinguished.
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4/17/2011 - philhamelin wrote:
Jammy cassis, smoke and forest notes on the nose with a hint of eucalyptus. Despite the huge aromatics, it is rather reserved in its own way. Touch of oak on the finish. The more I drink of it, the more I like it. Elegant and finessed despite the heat. Drink now-2015. Food pairing: Grilled steak.
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4/16/2011 - philhamelin wrote:
Malgré la présence de fruit très mûr, voici un cru chilien élaboré dans un style français élégant. Pour l'amateur à la recherche de caractère et de matière à bon prix, ce beau rouge livre la marchandise. Un pinard moyennement corsé aux tannins veloutés qui en met plein la bouche. Servez cette aubaine avec la bavette à l'échalote.
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3/25/2011 - zkeeper wrote: 95 Points
Such a wonderful, chocolate taste.
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3/19/2011 - eslee wrote: 89 Points
will be one of my favorite wine if the the price not so high
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3/11/2011 - Heiyan wrote: 80 Points
the light of Cherry, Alcohol is so strong . it make this wine not balanced. medium body. the smell of lasberry and strawberry feels good.
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1/29/2011 - JonnyDS wrote: 74 Points
Yuck. Pass.
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8/7/2010 - nalavigne wrote:
WSET Level 3, AI vancouver, August 3, 2010
clear, deep ruby core
on the nose, clean, medium intensity, youthful and smelling of cherries, raspberries and blueberries (dark fruit) with a geen/vegetal note (bellpepper), leafy, pepper, spices, vanilla
on the palate, dry, medium plus tannins, medium plus acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium intensity with notes of red, ripe and juicy fruits like cherries and raspberries, vegetal, spice, black pepper
Medium plus finish
Good wine, drink now or can wait a bit.
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8/3/2010 - Weston3220 Likes this wine: 89 Points
WSET Level 3 Part 2 Week 5 USA & South America (Downtown Vancouver [AI School]): Clear, Deep Ruby, Showing Sig Legs
A: Clean, Med+ Intensity,
Herbaceous[Tomato Stalk] Earth Soil, some fruit
T: Dry, Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med Body, Med Intensity, Long Finish, Med+ Alc
Ripe Juicy Cherry/Black, Herbaceous/more tom stalk, spice[Black Pepper]
Conc: Very good, balance of body and acid, could use I think some more bottle age
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7/3/2010 - dexterng wrote: 80 Points
Not bad. May be a bit early but after 30 to 45mins of decanting, it is just fine. Oak on the nose, not much but noticable. Coco comes after. I had this wrong perception that it has merlot but it turns out it has everything but merlot. Anyway it is a good wine but just as good as other Chilian wine at similar price range.
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6/16/2010 - G_Talbot wrote:
WSET Level 3; 4/7/2010-7/21/2010 (London): WSET Systematic Approach - Group
Appearance: clear, deep, ruby, legs.
Nose: clean, medium (+), developing, ripe red cherry, candy, toast, cedar.
Palate: dry, high acidity, medium (+) - high tannin, medium (+) alcohol (14%), medium (+) body, pronounced flavour intensity, cedar, black cherry, candy, medicine, long length.
Conclusions: very good, ready to drink, but can develop further.
Quoted Price: £9.99
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6/16/2010 - Badamf wrote:
Appearance: Clear, Deep intensity, ruby, legs
Nose: Clean, medium+ intensity, developing, lots of oak, blackcurrants, damson, cedar, very ripe fruit
Palate: Dry, medium+ acidity, medium alc, medium+ body, medium+ tannin, medium+ intensity, medium+ finish, pepper
Overall: Quality - good, Mid price, ready to drink but can keep
£10
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4/28/2010 - Hueg wrote:
Way too sweet for my tastes. My wife seemed to think it was fine.
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4/20/2010 - mos Likes this wine: 86 Points
Remains one of my favorite cheap easy to find wines. Consistent year to year. Big raspberry nose. Palate is covered in black cherry, plum, and hints of leather.
Not the best wine ever, but an old reliable.
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