Viña Tinajas Merlot 2012 from Valle del Maule Chili

The initial taste is dry and woody, the deep berries coming through with strength just behind. It fills the mouth with dry blackcurrant, blackberries, mertles and earthy notes, and is incredibly smooth, making you really work at identifying the various fruits within. None of the typical spicy finish you often get makes this wine uplifting at the finish, maintaining the fruit and alcohol warmth. It doesn’t really linger with any dryness after the swallow, and even in the mouth the dryness is all in the fruit rather than in the wine, but has a very pleasant fruit fade.

Definitely a wine to enjoy drinking alongside some light food so you get the best of its flavours, although some may find it a bit too one-dimensional. It works very well after a meal with chocolate or a cigar

This wine is exclusive through Naked Wines, and it is probably worth opening an account with them just to try this one alone. Don’t look for the Viña Tinajas Merlot 2011 as it sold out, and 2012 is a bit limited now too.