Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net
2009 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere
#nb-23-12
A quality wine does not have to cost quality bucks, and this one is quality, plus its great with lamb! From the Rapel Valley in Chile, the 2009 Santa Rita Reserva Carmenere is terrific with lamb and not hard on the pocket book. The price is less than fifteen dollars, and if you shop around, you may find it for eleven or twelve.
We marinated some lamb chops in red wine with garlic, and cooked them a perfect medium rare on a hot grill. The Santa Rita was an excellent companion for our lamb chops. The flavors of dark berries and spice surrounded the garlic flavored lamb and took it into a mildly oaked finish which begged for another sip. The "Wine Spectator" liked it for 87 points, and described it as,"smoky and fleshy, with good briar, raspberry sauce and tobacco notes that hang on nicely through the lightly grippy finish." I don't know what a "grippy finish" is, but it sure made me want more of this delightful Carmenere!
I have always liked Merlot with lamb, but Carmenere is rapidly challenging that status, and if you don't like lamb, it would serve well with any other grilled chops, or even salmon. Norm's score is 88.
Score: 88
Price: $11 - $14
Norm
Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/
Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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