Wine Finds: South America’s carménère and malbec

Wine Finds: South America’s carménère and malbec
By Gail Appleson • Special to the Post-Dispatch

Carménère and malbec are both used as blending grapes in the red wines of Bordeaux, where they are subordinate to cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. However, in South America, carménère is Chile’s signature red grape and malbec is Argentina’s top red variety. These wines can have very different characteristics, and the following are two fine examples.


Casas del Bosque 2019 Carménère Reserva, Valle de Rapel, Chile

Bought • The Wine and Cheese Place, 195 Lamp & Lantern Village, in June for $12.99

Description • If you’re tired of traditional red wines and want something unique, put this well-made wine on your list. Although carménère was once mistaken for merlot in Chile, this wine probably isn’t what you’d expect to taste in a merlot. Instead, this is a spicy, savory and smoky red that tastes distinctively of bell pepper, paprika and a bit of herbs. Partially aged in oak for six months, it’s a medium- to full-bodied complex red with firm tannins. It’s a very flavorful, concentrated wine that would go well with beef and lamb.

You can reserve it online to for pick up




Finca El Origen 2019 Malbec Reserva, Valle de Uco, Argentina
Bought • The Wine and Cheese Place, 195 Lamp & Lantern Village, in June for $11.99

Description • Finca El Origen’s 2019 malbec is a great example of why reds made from this grape are so popular. Made primarily from malbec, it has small amounts of petit verdot and cabernet franc to provide balance and character. Aged in French oak for six months, this is a spicy red that has an inviting fruity aroma with a hint of cedar. Medium- to full-bodied, it has silky tannins and tastes of red fruit with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate. It’s an easy-to-drink red that would go well with everything from beef to pizza.

You can reserve it online too for pick up


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