WTN: Cheap Chileans--the search continues

[Jenise]

Still sampling/choosing wines for our neighborhood tasting next week, focus on Chile:

2006 Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon
Actually pretty good, for $12ish that is. Varietally correct black fruit and a bit of American oak pickle with a polished, modern texture and drink-now frame. Won't compete with the Casillero del Diablo for my vote, but it will suit others quite well so it goes in the tasting.

2005 Vino de Eyzaguirre, $10
I love the burlap-wrapped bottle so it's too bad the wine's a dog. Purple in color with a thick, unfiltered look. Smells promising but on the palate, the wine's black cherry and stewed plum fruit plus total lack of tannins suggests this wine will be totally oxidized by the morrow.

2006 Panilonco Chief of Lions merlot/malbec Reserve, $3.49
Yes, you read that right. Three bucks and change at Trader Joe's. It's actually pretty decent for the money--better than Charles Shaw anyway--with a decidedly malbec nose on a merlotish palate. Bright and Hawaiian-punch fruity, so not something most of us would find personally appealing at room temperature, but it's actually everything that makes a red wine a good candidate for serving chilled. I might pick up another bottle to test for that service.

So the final list for the tasting, with thanks to everyone here for their help:

The sauv blancs:
Cono Sur Vision
Haras
Veramonte Reserve

The cabs:
Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo
Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa
Altair "Sideral"
Montes Alpha
Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander
Viu Manent

Yeah, I know, nothing at the high-high end, but the majority of people (50-70 people attend) at these tastings are essentially beginners, and the middle of summer's a great time to put less-expensive wines on the table (this one will cost me about $700) and enable us to bank some cash for our big winter bash.

I think Casa Lapostolle makes a rather decent Chardonnay but see that you decided to stick with Sauvignon Blanc for the whites.

[Jenise]

I think Casa Lapostolle makes a rather decent Chardonnay but see that you decided to stick with Sauvignon Blanc for the whites.

Well, and there's also what's available. Among the first six or so whites I tried of wines distributed in my area, the sauv blancs were by far more compelling.

[Jenise]

I think Casa Lapostolle makes a rather decent Chardonnay but see that you decided to stick with Sauvignon Blanc for the whites.

Well, and there's also what's available in my area. Among the first six or so whites I tried of wines distributed in my area, the sauv blancs were surprising good and the chardonnays were surprisingly disappointing, so that's how it went. Even if I could have gotten the Lapostolle, what would I have served with it?

[Robin Garr]

I think Casa Lapostolle makes a rather decent Chardonnay but see that you decided to stick with Sauvignon Blanc for the whites.

I found the Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc that I reported recently in a Wine Focus "30 Second Wine Advisor" post recently less than compelling. It had interesting aromatics but at 14% alcohol or thereabouts was just way too warm for a SB for me. Mary said it was almost like drinking liquor.

[Jenise]

Ouch--14% alcohol is really tough on white wines. It's another I haven't seen around. Neither, in fact, have I seen the Cono Sur which Oswaldo reccomended so highly, but fortunately I was able to order it (note to Oswaldo: had a choice, ordered the Vision).

[David M. Bueker]

Jenise,

If you are doing novice tastings for 50-70 folks you should chat with my parents. They do the same thing every year & you might be able to share wine ideas.

Ouch--14% alcohol is really tough on white wines. It's another I haven't seen around. Neither, in fact, have I seen the Cono Sur which Oswaldo reccomended so highly, but fortunately I was able to order it (note to Oswaldo: had a choice, ordered the Vision).

I haven't tried the Vision (not available here), only the Reserva. Hope it's similar. If the Vision is a higher end bottling than the Reserva, I hope it's not because of something we may not want in a sauvignon blanc, like oak...

With difficulty I managed to locate two bottles of Haras de Pirque sauvignon blanc a few days ago. When they arrived yesterday, I had the mild shock of discovering that they were 2004s; somehow I forgot to ask... Haven't tried them yet, but won't wait long, as they may have lost their freshness.

The 2007 Chardonnay Wild Ferment from Errazuriz, the first vintage made from young vines, is under $20 and is stunning. One of the best Chardonnays I've ever had from Chile, and far less expensive than the other great ones.