RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley

We move to another Chilean red wine a Rucahue Gran Reserva Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maule Valley in Chile. The Maule Valley is Chile’s largest viticultural region which is one of the most geographically and climatically diverse encompassing the Andes to the east, the sunny plains through the central corridor and the rollingContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley”

RKS 2023 Wine: Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile

This is an organic wine. It is from the Itata Valley which is Chile’s oldest viticultural region producing wine for over 450 years and Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are leading the new wave charge. Aroma: Big pulses of blueberry with lesser notes of raspberry with Obidos Licor Ginja (sour cherry liqueur from Obidos in Portugal).Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Miguel Torres Andica Gran Reserva 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile”

RKS 2023 Wine: Yet Another Excellent Chilean Carmenère: Morandé 2020 Gran Reserva Carmenère

At $16.95 this wine is a steal. How long can Chilean red wine competitors stand in the face of such reasonable prices for full bodied red wine? The wine has spent 18 months in French oak foudres. Aroma: Freshly picked raspberries and raspberry jam shine through. Also blackberries and a bit of mocha. Palate: RelaxedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yet Another Excellent Chilean Carmenère: Morandé 2020 Gran Reserva Carmenère”

RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!

Having attended the first annual Wine and Travel Week in Porto with a side trip to Pico Island in late February I had the opportunity to chat with a representative of Chilean winery Matetic as they had a booth as an exhibitor in the Alfândega in Porto. We didn’t talk wine but rather accommodations availableContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!”

RKS 2023 Wines: Dichosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from Valle del Maule in Chile

The vines for this wine are whippersnappers at 15 years of age and in addition to oak barrels the wine was aged in concrete giving it a leaner texture than oak only ageing. Aroma: Full of both black and red fruits all very harmonious and indicative of a smooth and ready to drink Cabernet Sauvignon.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Dichosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 from Valle del Maule in Chile”

RKS Wine 2023: Falerina Reserva Syrah from Valle de Elqui

The Elqui Valley is set at the southern edge of the Atacama Desert and is one of Chile’s northernmost wine producing regions. Its crystal-clear skies attract some of the world’s most important observatories and create unique opportunities for winegrowing as well. New vineyards have expanded beyond its riverbanks and high up into the mountains inContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Falerina Reserva Syrah from Valle de Elqui”

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Carménère from Viña Koyle

As far as Chilean Carménère goes this year it is hard to find a klunker but you never quite know do you? We put a Koyle Royale Carménère from the Alto Colchagua to the test. Aroma: While many Chilean Carménères have a nice raspberry and strawberry touch characteristic of a  lighter red wine this oneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Carménère from Viña Koyle”

RKS 2023 Wine: Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay from Chile; Chernobyl Meltdown!

Red wines from Chile predominate on the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. White wines from Chile are in the shadows. You are more likely to see Chardonnay as the most prominent Chilean white. Chilean whites continue to disappoint in 2023. So let’s try the 2020 Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay. Aromatics: Pear,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay from Chile; Chernobyl Meltdown!”

RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile

Aromatics: Raspberry jam, strawberry, blueberry and a hint of dark chocolate. Palate: The tannins are light and the acids are behaving themselves. Blackberry, raspberry, black cherry with a medium brackish finish. Personality: I am a good Carménère and proud of it. I am a bit rough on the edges which just might suit your palateContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile”

RKS 2023 Wine: Errazuriz Max VIII from Chile

Sorry can’t help thinking this wine sounds like some motor oil. Hopefully it tastes better than Saudi juice. It comes from 8 different vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley in Chile which has been carved out by the abundant rainwater that flows down from Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain range in the western hemisphere. Red varietiesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Errazuriz Max VIII from Chile”