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All the winners from the Global Carmenère Masters 2023

The impressive quality of Carmenère in recent years has led to db launching its first blind-tasting competition for this silky-smooth variety, with some exciting discoveries, writes Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

Carmenère is an almost unknown black grape variety, but it has a long and valiant history. Originally from the Gironde and the Dordogne river valleys near Bordeaux, Carmenère was first mentioned in the 18th century around Bergerac, linked with Malbec and Petit Verdot, and was praised for the high quality of its wines well into the 19th century. When the insufferable pest, phylloxera, invaded the vineyards of Europe, and when the lands of Bordeaux were replanted, Carmenère hardly survived anywhere.

The Carmenère variety is difficult to grow and to ripen in Bordeaux’s fickle climate, so Merlot and hardier Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc became the preferred grape varieties there. Carmenère’s saviours were its exports, to Northern Italy and, perhaps surprisingly, to Chile. Today Chile is Carmenère’s power base. In the mid-19thcentury the grape was planted there as a field blend with Merlot. In Chile Carmenère thrives because of the warmer, drier climate, which allows a longer ripening period.

Carmenère, when harvested fully ripe, produces beautiful wines, as we have discovered in our first Carmenère Global Masters competition. With the ancient Cabernet Franc variety in its DNA, Carmenère has a familial relationship with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and its flavours can mimic either of those varieties—or both, as we found during our judging process.

Often the wines’ flavours have Victoria plum fruit and the green capsicum of Merlot, with just a little more acidity and tannin to balance. When very ripe, the palate shows blackcurrant and bramble, and dense tannins similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. Like both of those varieties, Carmenère has an affinity with oak maturation, whether the vanilla-coconut of American barrels or the toastycedarwood of French barriques.

And, like its relatives, the Cabernets and Merlot, Carmenère works very well in blends.

Carmenère is a grape variety that should be embraced by discerning wine consumers. The wines are also, and importantly, exceptional value for money. At every price point they deliver a satisfying drink, packed with excellent fruit expression framed by zesty acidity and well-integrated tannins.

Unoaked 100% Carmenère

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña Casa Solis Carmenere Central Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Ca’Basso Colli Berici DOC Carmenère Veneto Italy 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Tenuta Monte San Giorgio Colli Berici DOC Carmenère Veneto Italy 2021 Bronze
£20-£30
Viña del Nuevo Mundo Las Niñas Ella Carménère Reserva Apalta Chile 2022 Gold
Viña del Nuevo Mundo Capachito Carmenere Apalta Chile 2022 Silver
£30-£50
Viña Santa Rita Floresta Carmenere Apalta Chile 2021 Silver

 

Oaked 100% Carmenère

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña San Esteban In Situ Gran Reserva Aconcagua Chile 2021 Silver
Viña San Esteban In Situ Reserva Aconcagua Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Darwin Vineyards Tinamou Central Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Viña Indomita Irresistible Carménère Maipo Chile 2022 Bronze
Darwin Vineyards Lomas Carrera Central Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
Le Volpi and Monte Fasolo Colli Euganei Carmenere DOC Veneto Italy NV Bronze
£10-£15
Viña Casa Silva Doña Dominga Clásico de Familia Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Viña Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Carmenère Cauquenes Valley Chile 2019 Gold
Viña Punti Ferrer Gran Reserva Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Viña Casa Silva Terroir de Familia Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Viña Ravanal Ravanal Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña y Cava Valle Secreto First Edition Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Santa Carolina Carolina Reserva Carmenère Cachapoal Valley Chile 2020 Silver
MontGras De Vine Carmenere Central Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Viña San Pedro Tarapaca 1865 Selected Vineyards Carmenère Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Siegel Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Viña Casa Silva Doña Reserva de Familia Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
MontGras Day One Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Viña Siegel Handpicked Reserve Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Hacienda Araucano Humo Blanco Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Bronze
£15-£20
Viña Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Master
Viña Siegel Single Vineyard Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2018 Gold
Viñedos Veramonte Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Viña Valdivieso Single Vineyard Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Casa Silva Doña Dominga Gran Reserva de Los Andes Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Gold
Emiliana Organic Vineyards 57 Rocas Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Neyen de Apalta Primus Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña y Cava Valle Secreto Private Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Valley Selection Carmenere Rapel Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Viña Punti Ferrer Conforme Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Cantina Mattiello Colli Berici DOC Carmenere Riserva Foliage Veneto Italy 2018 Bronze

 

Oaked 100% Carmenère, continued

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
£20-£30
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards 360° Series Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Master
Inama Colli Berici DOC Carmenere Carminum Veneto Italy 2019 Master
Puntozero Colli Berici DOC Carmenere Riserva Veneto Italy 2018 Gold
Viña Casa Silva Casa Silva S7 Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Corte Moschina Colli Berici DOC Carmenere Calcareo Veneto Italy 2019 Gold
Vignalta Colli Euganei DOC Carmenère Riserva Veneto Italy 2020 Gold
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Carmenere Cachapoal Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Casa Silva Gran Terroir de los Andes Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Azienda Agricola Il Mottolo Vinanima Veneto Italy 2019 Silver
£30-£50
TerraNoble CA1 Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Gold
TerraNoble CA2 Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Viña Casa Silva Microterroir de Los Lingues Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Gold
£50-£70
Viña Santa Rita Pewen de Apalta Apalta Valley Chile 2021 Gold
£70-£100
Hacienda Araucano Alka Colchagua Valley Chile 2018 Master
Inama Colli Berici DOC Carmenere Riserva Oratorio di San Lorenzo Veneto Italy 2019 Gold

 

Oaked Carmenère Blend

Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vint. Medal
Under £10
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards LFE Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
BTT Winery BTT Reserva Carmenere Rapel Valley Chile 2022 Silver
£10-£15
Viñedos Veramonte Veramonte Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Master
Via Wlnes Oveja Negra Single Vineyard Carmenere Maule Valley Chile 2019 Master
Darwin Vineyards Irene Morales Maule Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Morandé Selección de Viñedos Gran Reserva Carmenere Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards LFE Gran Reserva Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Tres Mosqueteros Mosqueteros Gran Reserva Carmenere Rapel Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Viña Morandé Morandé Terroir Wines Carmenere-Malbec Maule Valley Chile 2020 Bronze
£15-£20
Viñedos Calcu Calcu Tiny Blocks Carmenere Colchagua Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere Chile Chile 2021 Gold
Viña Morandé Vitis Única Carmenere Maipo Valley Chile 2021 Silver
£20-£30
BTT Winery Family Reserve Carmenere Rapel Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Maeli D+ Veneto Italy 2019 Silver
Via Wines Chilcas Las Almas Colchagua Valley Chile 2018 Silver
£30-£50
Viña Carmen Delanz Apalta Apalta Valley Chile 2021 Gold
Neyen de Apalta Primus Winemaker Selection Colchagua Valley Chile 2018 Silver
£50-£70
VIK La Piu Belle Red Cachapoal Valley Chile 2020 Gold
Clos de Luz Luz Cachapoal Valley Chile 2020 Silver
£70-£100
Viña Sutil Mixtio Chile Chile 2018 Master

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Carmenère Masters provides a chance for your wines to star.

The 2023 competition was judged on 20 April at Rotunda, London, employing experienced judges.

The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Carmenère Master.

This report features the medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura.

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