2005 Carmin de Peumo

The Carmin de Peumo is the winery flagship and a candidate for Chile’s finest wine. The 2005 Carmin de Peumo Carmenere (I reviewed the 2003 in Issue 171, there was no 2004 produced) is a blend of the best parcels in the Peumo Vineyard. It spent 20 months in French oak and was bottled without fining or filtration. Purple/black in color, this profound effort gives up an amazing aromatic array of wood smoke, scorched earth, leather, espresso, blueberry compote, and blackberry liqueur. This leads to an opulent, extraordinarily rich, nearly over the top, sumptuous wine with deeply hidden structure, exceptional balance, and which manages to remain light on its feet despite its immense power. It can be enjoyed now but will be so much better in 5-7 years. It is a tour de force! Importer: Banfi Vintners, Old Brookville, NY; tel. (516) 626-9200