Caliterra Reserva Carmenere 2024

Carmenère is originally a Bordeaux variety, but today Chile, where it's long been planted, is really its spiritual home and the Caliterra estate, who make this wine, are based in the central Colchagua valley where it really thrives. After fermentation in stainless steel about a third of it is aged in re-used oak barrels to give a subtle depth. There are lashings of ripe blackberries and blueberries on the nose which blend with soft spicy notes of cinnamon and black pepper on the palate. It's nicely rounded, smooth and fruity with a good body, balanced acidity, mild tannins and a nicely persistent finish.

Mouthfilling and rewarding and very versatile, it's a good partner to grills and roasts, casseroles and stews and pizza and pasta.

Caliterra was established in 1996 as a joint venture between the families of Robert Mondavi and Viña Errazuriz and is in the heart of Chile's Colchagua Valley where they have around 300 hectares under vine, a large proportion of which are on prime hillside sites which yield high quality fruit and complex wines. Over the past few years, Caliterra has pioneered a move to sustainable wine production and Caliterra is one of the first Chilean wineries to achieve certification. Chief winemaker is Rodrigo Zamorano.