Maipo Valley Chile - Waitrose £9.99 (£7.50 offer)

Shez, beat you to it.

Not typical Chilean Cabernet. In fact would not have guessed Cabernet tasted blind. Surprisingly light in colour and the nose is a bit of Cabernet spice with an odd apple aroma. I was expecting some smoke, but there is none and the finish is short with a spike of alcohol heat.

Some bottle variation suggested on CellarTracker and it needs good aeration to get the best so will give it another chance tomorrow. Not overly impressed so far though. Seems a step down from the benchmark Montes Alpha and the Waitrose Chilean Cab made by Valdivieso.

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tribs

What happened to the old vine Cab from the Maipo valley which has been doing it for decades ? Pooh

Pity, how disapointing is that, the light colour is nothing to worry unduly about, as some folks don't approve of over extraction.....But, how light ? However..... Apple aroma, that's a bit strange ? Green pepper though, yes with a cab, but apple ! Baked or freshly cut or wind fall bruised ? I suppose I could imagine old and dark brown frosted wind falls. No oak either ?

I think we were all hoping for a rustic unfiltered jobby - sorta 'old world' chilean cab, from the early days ...Well, I was. You rushed to the line and you found little for your trouble - what a bummer.

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Duncan

Well, this has redeemed itself somewhat. Still has the apple aroma, bruised apple, not that appealing. 5 mins or so in the glass though and its gone and what's left is typical Cabernet spice, quite good actually. The fruit has started to come alive too and the heat spike is subdued also.

Yes, closer to what was expected, good actually. Like a sweeter more drinkable Katnook Estate. Obviously Cabernet now.

There has been a lot of day 2 wines recently.

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tribs

You got that Barolo for 9 quid though - nout here, I checked twice on my shopping travels.

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Duncan

Tribs, Did you buy any more of this after drinking your bottle ?

You think this needs more time then if its a day 2 wine?

If I may add a tad more.

Having tried the '08 in store on Saturday afternoon (opened in the 11:am slot for tasting, I reached down into the cabinet to find a bottle, with a small amount left in the bottom), and thought it quite nice. I had a quick look in here

Cousiño family’s wine estate

The marketing men said old maipo vines - but 60% of the fruit comes from the Buin Estate planted in 1996. Nevertheless, the '08 was a quite refined and medium weight example of cab from Chile, and may reflect the direction of Pascal Marty. I didn't think the wine had many hidden flavous that may be revealed from cellaring though. Well made and already clearing.

Edit - Fix link, cheers Shez

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Duncan

thx Duncan (your link is broken btw but I found the info)

Will try and give a bottle a go soonish I guess to see.
Have a few other bottles that probably need drinking first tho

I did buy 2 more, but there was only 08 available.

My recommendation would be to double decant this one if opening now. The bottle does suggest allowing to breathe. I thought it was good in the end. I'd give it more time if you haven't many 07's.

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tribs

Who's the avatar Shez?

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

It looks like that Arsenal player, Walcot?

Im probably way off tho.

spot on GK. Often people joke that I look like him

Even in my eyes he's quite a look a likey for a shez of 10yrs ago

consumed over 3 days and still holding out well on day 3 (stored in fridge with vacuvin).

More plum & red cherry than strong cassis note often found on other examples of Chilean Cab Sav.
Very good, not too tight and well balanced tannins that should allow for further aging but pemit pleasurable drinking now
Nice