Bodega Raices de Almahue
Raices 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile
This wine needs ridiculous amounts of air to be drinkable. Last night it was undrinkable. It gave off pungent aromas of toxic minerals, dog poop, and cat pee. Seriously. Tonight, those aromas have somewhat resolved into pungent graphite dust, green bell pepper, and dry extract of cassis. Loads of extract, bone dry, and still quite tannic, this demands aging and decanting. But it seems to me that once it comes together it will be a very macho-type--in a structural way not an alcohol way-- Cab to have with grilled steak or grilled leg of lamb. Score could be much higher in 5-10 years. From ungrafted 70+ year old vines.
UPDATE (night 3): Now we're talking. Green pepper gone; smoky graphite and cassis. Gravelly earthiness and rich fruit in the mouth. Good tannins and acids for framework. Upping score to 9.0.
This wine needs ridiculous amounts of air to be drinkable. Last night it was undrinkable. It gave off pungent aromas of toxic minerals, dog poop, and cat pee. Seriously. Tonight, those aromas have somewhat resolved into pungent graphite dust, green bell pepper, and dry extract of cassis. Loads of extract, bone dry, and still quite tannic, this demands aging and decanting. But it seems to me that once it comes together it will be a very macho-type--in a structural way not an alcohol way-- Cab to have with grilled steak or grilled leg of lamb. Score could be much higher in 5-10 years. From ungrafted 70+ year old vines.
UPDATE (night 3): Now we're talking. Green pepper gone; smoky graphite and cassis. Gravelly earthiness and rich fruit in the mouth. Good tannins and acids for framework. Upping score to 9.0.
Not too heavy, tasty, can using time to breathe
Not too heavy, tasty, can using time to breathe
Apr 14th, 2020Full bodied, not overpowered by the oak. A little tang on the finish
Full bodied, not overpowered by the oak. A little tang on the finish
Aug 12th, 2017
A wine-lover's wine. Humble Carmenere elevated to a singular expression. Dark ruby tending toward purple. Like a drunken teen firebug running in reverse, opens with matches and finishes with creosote. Skin of black plum, fruit leather, fresh pomegranate, blood orange and iron dominate the middle. Very rich, palate-coating, mellow tannins, hints of chocolate, smoke, earth and spice. Brother & sister wine-making team. Medium body, food friendly, or perfect alone on a rainy night.
A wine-lover's wine. Humble Carmenere elevated to a singular expression. Dark ruby tending toward purple. Like a drunken teen firebug running in reverse, opens with matches and finishes with creosote. Skin of black plum, fruit leather, fresh pomegranate, blood orange and iron dominate the middle. Very rich, palate-coating, mellow tannins, hints of chocolate, smoke, earth and spice. Brother & sister wine-making team. Medium body, food friendly, or perfect alone on a rainy night.
May 23rd, 2017
