'99 Luis Felipe Edwards Carmenere

[Randy Caparoso]

Try to go back to that wine... in spite of the confusion (Chileans bottling Carmenere as Merlot all these years), the two varietals really are not similar at all.

Carmenere almost always has a jalapeno or tabasco chile-like spice that no Merlot ever has, period. Both varieties can have black cherry-like fragrances and soft tannins, but then again so can Pinot Noir, and Pinot Noir doesn't resemble Merlot either.

If you don't remember the wine that way, I bet you any money if you try another bottle you'll know precisely what I mean, now that I've pointed it out.

By the way, if you'd like to try REALLY good Carmenere, for a little extra money the ones by Morande (about $10), Santa Rita (their "Reserva," about $14), and Veramonte (their "Primus, about $18) are deeper, richer, and more finely balanced. Spent a week in Chile a year and a half ago, sitting through some comparative tastings with winemakers, and have been following the progress ever since.


[This message has been edited by Randy Caparoso (edited 03-25-2002).]