The obscure and almost forgotten grape variety of Bordeaux, Carmenère has been given serious attention in Chile, with very good examples to be found across the country.
Sharing parentage from Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Carmenère tends to display herbaceous notes alongside red and black fruits and layers of spice. Like Merlot, Carmenère wines typically have silky, supple tannins, and now more than ever, fresher, fruitier, identifiable styles are being produced.
As results from the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) attest, Carmenère is a mainstay in Chile’s Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys, but plantings are spreading with quality wines to be found from Maule, Aconcagua, Central and Maipó Valley.
Scroll down to see 15 award-winning Carmenère wines to try from DWWA 2024
Carmenère-dominant wines from Colchagua and Cachapoal each received a Gold medal (95 points) at DWWA 2024, but it was Colchagua that took the spotlight, with its Best in Show winner – for varietal Carmenère.
Awarded to Santa Carolina, Herencia Carmenère 2020 from the higher-altitude sub-region of Los Lingues, the judges recognised the wine for its ‘vivid, fresh and vibrant’ character with ‘fruit tones achieving unusual subtlety and complexity’.
To celebrate International Carmenère Day on 24 November, we highlight 15 award-winning Carmenère-led blends and varietal wines from DWWA to try, with many more to discover at awards.decanter.com
International Carmenère Day: 15 award-winning wines from Chile
Colchagua
Santa Carolina, Herencia Carmenère, Los Lingues 2020
Best in Show, 97 points
For the second year running, Carmenère is Chile’s flag-bearer in our Best In Show selection. This one hails from Los Lingues, up on the northern border of the Colchagua Valley – a small sub-valley in its own right, nestling under the grandeur of the Andes, and a noted Carmenère hotspot. Dark black-red in colour, the wine has lively, spicy, meadow-like scents supporting ample red fruit. On the palate, it’s vivid, fresh and vibrant, the fruit tones achieving unusual subtlety and complexity and with soft, coaxing tannins helping to fill the palate out further and lend the finish a savoury allure. If you prize drinkability, though, you’ll find this a fine wine with classic ease and grace in the glass. Alcohol 14.5%
Vina Del Nuevo Mundo, Las Niñas Ella Reserva Organic Carmenere, Apalta 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Abundant ripe damson, blueberry and black plum with smoky tobacco and dried herb notes interspersed. Rounded and firm with a meaty complexity and mouth-watering tannins. Super! Alc 14%
Sutil, Acrux 2022
Silver, 92 points
Beautifully perfumed with scented, floral lavender, violet and plum, palate of black fruit, clove spice and a fine graphite minerality. Alc 14%
Viña Terranoble, CA2 Costa Carmenere 2021
Silver, 92 points
Opulent, with oak, chocolate and blackberry compote aromas; palate of peppery spice, graphite and a gentle mocha richness. Alc 14.8%
Aconcagua Valley
Errazuriz, Estate Carmenere 2022
Silver, 93 points
Delicious, fresh, spicy and fragrant, with the palate showing salty minerality, taught tannins and bright berry fruit. Alc 13.5%
Cachapoal
Concha Y Toro, Terrunyo Carmenere, Peumo 2021
Gold, 95 points
A stylish event, brimming with blue fruit, bramble leaf and minty perfume, with a smooth, velvety texture and austere, refined tannins. Well-honed and luxuriously long. Alc 14%
Santa Ema, Amplus Carmenere, Peumo 2021
Silver, 92 points
Perfumed oak, eucalyptus, pepper and blue fruit nose; vanilla, cream, blackberry, plum and mint on the palate. Alc 14%
Viña Undurraga, T. H. Carmenere, Peumo 2022
Silver, 90 points
Floral and inviting, with a nose of fresh blue flower, then to a palate of leafy mint, chocolate, coffee bean and fine tannins. Alc 14%
Central Valley
Casa Bauzá, Atrevido 2021
Silver, 94 points
Heady nose of cassis and bright herbal aromatics; charred wood, purple fruit, herb, spice and silky tannins on the palate. Alc 13.5%
Maipó Valley
Viña Chocalan, Guillermo, Melipilla 2019
Silver, 94 points
Focused nose of blackberry, plush bramble and spice, then to a palate of clove, liquorice, smoke and cedar. Alc 14.5%
Viña Ventisquero, Grey Carménère, Maipó Pacifico 2022
Silver, 93 points
Inviting aromatics of red fruit compote lead to a vibrant palate of sleek black fruit, pepper and elegant tannins. Alc 13.5%
Casa Bauzá, Isabel 2021
Silver, 92 points
Blackcurrant laced with green pepper on the nose, hints of vanilla, supple tannins and sleek tannins on the palate. Alc 13.5%
Tres Palacios, Family Vintage Carménère 2020
Silver, 91 points
Smoky, spicy and aromatic, while the palate is laced with roast pepper and silky smooth tannins. Alc 14%
Maule
Invina, Luma Chequen Gran Reserva Carménère 2021
Silver, 91 points
Lavish fruit, smoked cured meat and creamy notes, palate of green bean, capsicum, redcurrant and tart red fruit on the leafy palate. Alc 14%
San Pedro, Tierras Moradas 2022
Silver, 91 points
Creamy balsa aromatics on the nose, then to a palate of concentrated blackberry, mint, smoke and toast. Alc 14.5%
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