Carmenere
A late-ripening Bordeaux red, nearly lost to phylloxera in France, that found a second home and its emblematic identity in Chile.
About Carmenere
Carmenere is an old Medoc variety, a cross of Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet, that all but vanished from Bordeaux after phylloxera struck in the 1860s. It survived in Chile, where for decades it was mistaken for Merlot until DNA testing revealed its true identity in 1994. Today Chile is its world capital and Carmenere is considered the country's signature grape. Late-ripening and demanding of heat, it gives deeply colored wines of blackberry and plum layered with cocoa, tobacco and a signature green-peppercorn or bell-pepper note when picked before full ripeness. At its best, warm Maipo and Colchagua sites deliver plush, supple tannins and a smooth, savory finish. It is bottled both as a varietal and as a partner to Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile's flagship blends.
Variety profile
Editorial notes
Buy from warm Chilean valleys (Maipo, Colchagua) for ripe fruit; under-ripe examples show aggressive green pepper. Pairs well with grilled and spiced red meats.