as Mel said in her tasting note for 05 vintage:


I got this for about £7.50 in the last round of 25% off at waitrose
This is a blackcurrant and vanilla bomb. baked is definately the correct term, the fruit is deep and dense and it has a pretty smooth feel
Some may not like this but I quite like it. One for GK and Tribs I think.
A good match with steak I had early for dinner and when just sitting infront of the TV watching Saturday night films

Sounds nice Shez, Maipo Valley Cab, good to see they used decent ripe fruit but still managed to keep the alcohol down to a comfortable 13.5%

Will look out for it.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

yeah GK, like you say, nice that its only 13.5%

a couple of days in the fridge and the baked fruit has died down a bit and its gained a little complexity and a touch of tobacco

Definately worth picking up a few when next on offer at waitrose.
Both 2006 & 2007 were meant to be good vintages in the region

Tried one of these yesterday. Spot on Shez. A blackcurrant bomb. Even though you warned me it was still a surprise. Very ripe fruit, surprisingly sweet. Not as grown up as the Montes Alpha, but very drinkable.

Although on the sweet side there is just enough structure and a touch of smoke on the finish. Dinner was at my parents and it went well with the roast lamb. It went down very well.

Will look to grab more tomorrow.

_________________
tribs

Glad you liked it mate
Might give it another go myself if I can make it to waitrose by wednesday

So much for our abstaining on the purchasing until later in the year/new year!

Haha - thought you were a bit too early for Lent.

Well Shez, I do keep up a tiny bit. I bought a Reserva Merlot Viña Valdivieso from Maj to try, in similar circumstances ! My son-in-law will luv it....... See, I do get out more

Q. Had the 06 cab evolved in any way ? Do ya think ? Or is this a wine that one just glugs regardless. Mel went for the oldest she could find, it seems, lucky to find 05.

_________________
Duncan

As mentioned, it did seem to develop from the headstrong fruit bomb after a day open so I should think it's better on the older vintage with a bit of time in a decanter
Quite pleasant in it's youth too though if you like em as described (tho think it's probably less likely to be your style)

Sorry Shez, just re-read that again Will comment on the Merlot when we get to it.

_________________
Duncan

As mine was shared, I didn't get much chance to assess.

First impressions were its a glugger. Its nice to buy some stuff thats good to drink now. Speaking of which that bleeping Ripasso 06 from Waitrose turned out to be an 08

_________________
tribs

Waitrose Reserva Cab Viña Valdivieso 07. Waitrose in partnership - normal retail £9.99

Definately worth picking up a few when next on offer at waitrose.
Both 2006 & 2007 were meant to be good vintages in the region

Shez, I did get there, and bought this 2007 version, when the offers were running.

Impressive succulence, as I opened and poured straight-away. Very impressive gloss and glycerol on the first full glass, that slips down very easily. The 1st glass was the most rich, how extraordinary ? What magic incredient do they use to make this possible ?

The '07 vintage is said to be very successful for cabernet sauvignon in Maipo valley, Lontue.

You get nearly everything classic, as well as NW fruit bomb cab flavour in this bottle.

Vanilla, cedary cigar box, mentholy mint, nutmeggy / coffee grouts mixed spice, cassis, bit of violets as in PV added to claret, (although no PV in here) ripe tannins, good mouth feel, reasonable nose, not short.

the succulent richness does tail off during the evening, I'll see what it's doing tonight, after 24 hours on the pantry floor. As a glugger tho for two couples, pour out four large glasses and start supping.

for the 2007

Very good at the £7.49 price. Chilean cab at its best for the dosh. I should have bought a few more, as I'm sure, they will improve and dry-off, become more savoury for my taste with a bit more time

GK - you will like this.

_________________
Duncan

Not so good this evening. The cab has opened up more, and the very strong flavour of this NW cab now drowns out the other subsidiary interest and cassis / vanilla/ coffee grouts flavours.

Drink at one sitting. Next day does not earn the Value Gong. More one dimensional now.

Pitty.

_________________
Duncan