Errazuriz Estate Merlot, 2010, Chile

This is the first of three Errazuriz reds reviewed back-to-back - and they have an interesting story to tell.

Made from 85% Merlot (with 15% of Chile's "signature" Carménère added in), it is the lowest in alcohol of the three at a European-ish level of 13.5%

The nose shows ripe plum, red berries, blackberry and something more secondary and elusive - coffee perhaps, with roasted, savoury aromas.

On the palate there is juicy, jammy acidity and cooked plum fruit sweetness. The tannins are soft and slightly drying rather than grippy on the finish.

Like all three wines, this feels as if it is aimed more at the US market with its greater emphasis on initial fruit and up-front ripeness and lesser interest in structural matters or food-friendly restraint.

That said, it does go with food and matches well with a roast beef dinner or a lasagna.

The story it puts me in mind of is the conversion away from overripe, overworked wines to something more restrained natural, as told by Marcelo Retamal of Chile's De Martino - see here:

See here for for the review of the Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon and the Single Vineyard Carménère.

£8.99 from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Majestic, Wine Rack, Booths, Taurus Wines, Matthew Clark, http://www.wine-studio.co.uk/

The 2009 is reviewed by Victoria Moore, here.

Links

Errazuriz - http://www.errazuriz.com/errazuriz/
Tesco - http://www.tesco.com/
Sainsbury's - http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/
Asda - http://shop.asda.com/wine/
Majestic -  http://www.majestic.co.uk/
Wine Rack - http://www.winerack.co.uk/
Booths - http://www.booths.co.uk/
Taurus Wines - https://www.tauruswines.co.uk/eshop/index.php
Matthew Clark - http://www.matthewclark.co.uk/
http://www.wine-studio.co.uk/