Wine of the week: 2008 Palo Alto Reserve, Cabernet, Carmenere and Syrah blend

Michael McVittie reviews wines available locally

Published: January 29th, 2010 02:11 AM
Last Modified: January 29th, 2010 04:01 AM

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Concha Toro is paying attention. Everything I have tasted in the past two years consistently over-delivers. One very special project is the Palo Alto Reserve, Maule Valley. Palo Alto is a thorny tree that grows on the scrubby hills of the Maule Valley in Chile. These hillsides remind me a lot of Napa. The wine is designed to be avant-garde, blending Cabernet, Carmenere and Syrah from the best vineyards in the Maule. The 2008 is very dark with a red purple rim. The potent aromatics showcase the Carmenere leaf and intense high-end berry fruits. Mineral, soil, herb, liquorice and tar waft in and out, very nice! Mouth entry is medium-full with bright berry and light but pressing tannins. A lengthy and layered finish offers firm grip, lovely berries, herb, tar and leather. If I was a New York steak I would be searching for this wine. Costs about $15.