WT4Nights: Round Up the Usual Suspects

Kingston Family Vineyards, Alazan Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2013

Crimson fading to a rosy rim; rim variation consistent with age. Aromas are red fruit forward: strawberry, red currant, cherry, sour cherry. Hints of dust and clove. On the palate, dust strengthens, seems earthy, a bit of garrigue. Tannins are primarily fruity; very little wood evidence remains. Medium plus acidity. Impression: varietally correct, balanced, aged quite nicely.

This was a wine purchased a few years ago after WOPN. Attended a seminar with two wines each poured from 5 different countries. Kingston was the only vintner in which both wines spoke to me. And, FWIW, one of the countries was France (Burgundy). At the lunch post-seminar, everyone except me couldn't get enough Burgundy. They ran out. But I asked for and requested Kingston Alazan. There was plenty of that.

Signed up for mailing list and an offer came shortly. Have had some Sauv Blanc, Syrah, and lower-end PN thus far. Only have one more Alazan, that of the 2011 vintage. So far so good.

May be some bias here; Chile is a great source of value for this frugal one.

[Jenise]

I agree on the values from Chile (especially the Carmeneres) but have never had a Chilean pinot that didn't have the same weird green streak in it, and I don't know where that came from. Obviously you didn't experience it here. Do you know what I'm talking about--have you seen it in other wines?

I agree on the values from Chile (especially the Carmeneres) but have never had a Chilean pinot that didn't have the same weird green streak in it, and I don't know where that came from. Obviously you didn't experience it here. Do you know what I'm talking about--have you seen it in other wines?

Weird green streak? Stemmy, too young, what?

[David M. Bueker]

I agree on the values from Chile (especially the Carmeneres) but have never had a Chilean pinot that didn't have the same weird green streak in it, and I don't know where that came from. Obviously you didn't experience it here. Do you know what I'm talking about--have you seen it in other wines?

Weird green streak? Stemmy, too young, what?

It’s an uneven ripeness issue. Heat spikes in many Chilean regions play havoc with Pinot Noir. I am with Jenise, as I have never had a Chilean Pinot that did not have a clash of ripe, red fruit and bell pepper green.

[Jenise]

Dave said it. Pyrazines would be the correct name for that, yet it's not exactly like the green bell pepper element we see up here, like it's a different species of pepper. I LOVE green peppers, all kinds, but not the one I've tasted in Chilean pinots.

Makes sense and I understand. PN is a finicky grape; it's possible that only truly skilled vintners in key areas (not subject to extremes) can make decent PN. I may have found a brand that has good vineyards in Casablanca Valley, and knew what to do with them. Noted that vintages at WOPN were 2011 and 2013. Maybe 2012 was less stellar and not WOPN-worthy.

IMHO Chile is a great source of value for Cab Sauv, Chard, Merlot, Carmenere. Sauv Blanc is inconsistent. But the others....daily drinkers and party wines. I've found that Merlot lovers do seem to enjoy that Carmenere. Not a Merlot lover here, but I perceive Carmenere as Merlot with character. YMMV.

[Jenise]

Another word just occurred to me about the oddness I've detected in Chilean pinots and it's in the nose: skunkiness. Not unlike Heinnekin (sp?) beer.

And yes, you must have found a good one because I know you know your way around pinot and you wouldn't tolerate what Dave and I are describing.

I agree with you about the similarity to merlot, and we all know that story. I particularly like the complex and structured carmenerre from Lapostolle, the Cuvee Alex. For around $22/bottle, it's a remarkable value.