2017 Arboleda Carmenere

Arboleda represents the premium tier from the Eduardo Chadwick family of Caliterra wines. Carmenere is capable of producing bold, flavoursome yet balanced and complex wines. Those from the Caliterra stable are stylistically similar, each sharing a complexing dried leaf / tobacco characteristic that overlays the spicy, ripe fruit notes. It's an unmistakable and unique combination that's prompted critics internationally to conclude of Chilean Carmenère: 'When they're good, there's really nothing else quite like it'.

A delightful expression of Chile’s signature varietal.

Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels of which 40% were new. Superb depth of colour displaying an inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Jumping out of the glass is a complex matrix of ripe blackcurrant, dark cherry, tobacco and subtle bell pepper aromatics trailed by vanillin cedar, faint black olive notes and spicy dried herbs. Medium bodied, refined and very savoury, rich blackcurrant and dark cherry fruits are seamlessly integrated with tobacco, dried herb and spicy cedar elements with a whisper of bell pepper also evident. Showing plenty of finesse it has elegant, velvety tannins and concludes with a long, generously flavoured finish.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
This is how Chilean carmenere should be. Unashamedly herbal with its dark pepper and blackberry-leaf undertones, but ripe at the same time, sporting black-olive and brambleberry character. Shows real structure and concentration on the palate, chewy tannins enveloping dark-fruit flavors that permeate through the medium-long finish. Drink now or hold.
93 points
JamesSuckling.com