Chile's Not so Hot Reds

The wines will be poured by local distributors representing a wide variety of Chilean producers. Chilean wine sales are currently down by as much as two per cent across the country, and while it's hardly the end of the world the message is clear, Chile is neither meeting the challenge from Australia, nor the rising trend that has so many locals buying British Columbia wine.

Could it be the boring, cookie-cutter Chilean varietals that dominate our liquor stores that are responsible for apathetic sales? I think so. With limited shelf space, and a monopoly whose main buyers are literally chained to their desks there is simply nothing new from Chile to stimulate interest and sales.

The pattern of listing every label from established suppliers rather than risk being stuck with a palette of new wine may look good on a spreadsheet but its killing the category.

Whatever its problems, Chile needs to improve its perception among consumers and holding public tastings like the event planned for The Roundhouse is a good start.

Today we look at six labels you'll find at the tasting but if you can't make it to the event you will also be able to locate these wines in government wine shops. Here are my notes.

Don't miss the Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2001 and its enticing chocolate/cassis nose with a touch of leather. It is rich, round and supple on entry with more cassis fruit in the aftertaste. It's warm (alcoholic) yet stylish for a young cabernet and every bit the baby brother of the winery's prestigious Don Maximiano cabernet. The price is a give away.

Similar in value is the Santa Rita 120 Merlot 2001 with its smoky, leather, green beans scent and leafy, minty highlights. There is fine balance here (especially given its low price) with smooth, round textures and an inviting smoky prune-fruit and earthy character. Love the savoury fruit finish.

Tolten Merlot T Series 2000 comes out of the highly acclaimed Valle del Colchagua. Look for the typical spicy dill and weedy cassis aromas that can mark the nose of merlot with a touch of saddle leather. It is rich and round with plush textures in the mouth and spicy minty flavours. Look for a dry, chocolate, mocha, earthy finish. Would be a useful red to serve with grilled meats.

Another Colchagua red, the Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Apalta Vineyard 2001, makes the most of its 70/30 cabernet/carmenère blend. It opens with an intense smoky cassis and green bean nose streaked with minty, herbal carmenère aromas. Riper and richer than the 2000 version, the '01 has a coffee, cassis flavour with gobs of black-cherry fruit. A very sippable red, it has a surprising touch of finesse at the end.

Casa Lapostolle and its French owners are known for their version français wines and the Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Selection 2001 is no exception. Look for a minty, black currant, licorice root nose with pepper and herbal undertones. It's big and chewy on the mid-palate with fairly firm tannins and an intense coffee cassis and earthy finish. You can enjoy this now, but another two years in bottle will add even more pleasure. Good value.

Many will know San Pedro for its inexpensive Gato Negro and Gato Blanco labels but some of its best juice is found in the upscale San Pedro Castillo de Molina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2001. Many will like its sappy black cherry and mint aromas streaked with black currant and chocolate. The palate is a rich mix of herbal, minty, cassis fruit with a mocha, coffee aftertaste. A dry, full flavoured red for hearty dishes.

Tickets to The Chilean Wine Festivals at The Roundhouse are $30 per person and available at 604-713-1800. The event takes place Friday, Sept. 26 at Exhibition Hall from 7 to 10 p.m.

WEEKEND WINE TASTING: CHILE

Wine: Wine Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2001, Valle de Aconcagua
Price: $13.95
UPC: 089046777312
Score: 15/20
Comments: Rich, round and stylish for a young cabernet. Great value.

Wine: Wine Santa Rita Merlot 120 2001, Valle del Rapel
Price: $11.99
UPC: 089419007237
Score: 14/20
Comments: Inviting, smoky, earthy nose and savoury fruit finish.

Wine: Wine Tolten Merlot T Series 2000, Valle del Colchagua
Price: $14.90
UPC: 677758000189
Score: 14/20
Comments: Plush textures with spicy, minty flavours.

Wine: Wine Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Apalta Vineyard 2001, Valle del Colchagua
Price: $17.95
UPC: 715126600026
Score: 15/20
Comments: A delicious sipping red with coffee/cassis and black-cherry fruit flavours.

Wine: Wine Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Selection 2001, Valle del Rapel
Price: $17.95
UPC: 088110831226
Score: 15/20
Comments: It's big and chewy with a coffee cassis finish.

Wine: Wine San Pedro Castillo de Molina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Valle del Maule
Price: $16.99
UPC: 78043000106145
Score: 15
Comments: Rich herbal/minty cassis fruit.