Colchagua Valley, Chile – $13

Let it breath; the aromas and flavors are quite layered! At first, to me, it smells like a vegetable garden – like cucumber plants and tomato vines, then it mingles with aromas of melons, spices, and caramel. The Carménère gives this wine a real light and rough edge. Flavors comes in three waves almost, but each is quick – first I taste seedy, dark berries, which are followed by some lighter raspberries and watermelons, finishing with some real rough, bitter chocolate flavors – almost like powdered baking chocolate!  It’s very sure of itself and leaves its mark if you don’t have something to round it out. Delicious, if not in its prime! 8.8