The Red Earth of Terra...Terra Rosa, that is

[zenda2]

Let me recommend the 1999 Laurel Glen vineyards Terra Rosa. Not the '98 or earlier, the '99 only. This South American Cabernet (with 10% Carmenere) is the best Terra Rosa I've tasted yet. After California grape prices made Laurel Glen's 3rd line Cab implausible in the US, winemaker Patrick Campbell moved south, buying grapes from Chile and Argentina. Some of his early S. American Terra Rosa's had too much green pepper and eucalyptus mixed in for my taste, but I salute the idea anyway. He could rest on his Laurels (Glen) but instead tries to give us a good Cabernet for daily drinking at the $10 price point by personally heading south 5 times a year.

El Nino/La Nina are gone at last, and this is what $10 S. American cabernet ought to taste like, IMHO. Per the notes on their website, the '99 crop produced the "best grapes (Campbell's) ever seen. Anywhere."

Tasting Notes from Campbell:

"The 1999 Terra Rosa Chile displays a beautiful violet-hued rim and a black core. The nose is filled with cassis (yes, real cassis, not just the usual winemaker claim!), plums, and violets: it's deep and fragrant, with mineral overtones. In the mouth it's silky, mouthfilling, supple, with a lively elegance. Tannins are sufficient to stand up to food and to provide a pleasant grip. Overall, the wine is incredibly balanced and simply delicious. It invites a second glass, bottle, pallet."

If you've tried Terra Rosa before, and swore off due to a 'green' taste...try it again. You're out $10 if I'm wrong. You might find it's the best $10 you'll spend all year.

[zenda2]

I was running low, picked up some more of this at a great price ($8.99) this really is a heckuva good daily red.