I went to Waitrose to get my half dozen at 25% off, and to make up the 6, I bought the above El cheapo.
Big mistake ! The wine started off as cheap Chilean, absolutely zero body, which is unusual for even the cheapest Chilean Cab/Carm. Then the simple one dimensional flavour for a second or two for the price, OK not a problem .....then a bitter and astringent taste of paracetamol, horrid in the mouth after a few minutes.
To be fair to Waitrose, I did get the last 3 of the 2005 Calvet Reserve, which is nice and easy claret on a good vintage, and the last of that Argentinian 2006 Clos de Los Siete for a two bottle laying down experiment.
What is the message ?
Duncan is an idiot buying that to make up the number.
Or, is Chile taking the mickey ? Now that they are on the wine map ? All I know is that the cost of living there, is a fifth of that around Europe's vineyards, so you'd expect something vaguely drinkable from Chilean fields for as little as 4 quid.
Are the days of adequate "El Cheapo" from Chile over ? This one IMHO, was made by a graduate chemist from San Paulo !