Yali Cab/Carm 2007

South America is currently as hot as any wine-producing region on Earth.  Every store’s shelves are stocked with nearly as many bottles from Mendoza and Colchagua as from Napa and Bordeaux.  Wine buyers who were a few years ago incapable of locating the Andes mountains on a map, now sing the praises of mountain-grown Malbec.  This posting is, accordingly, an obvious attempt to capitalize on the overwhelming popularity these wine have achieved.

Yali’s Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere blend is an admirable addition to the the aforementioned acceleration of Chile’s international acclaim, (how’s that for alliteration).  At under $12, it fits with South America’s reputation as a price-conscious shopper’s dream.  Additionally, it’s not a wine which one fill find in many places, and so should succeed in satisfying  even the most well-informed boozehound.

In the glass the wine is clear, cranberry-tinged, ruby color.  The nose suggests a spiced, cooked fruit aroma.

Though there is a lot of fruit on the palate of this wine, it is not necessarily the fruit I was expecting.  There is a distinct red-berry tartness in this wine which I don’t immediately associate with either of the present grapes.  This is not unpleasant.  In point of fact, this wine is refreshingly fun; it definitely falls into the, “drink me now, drink me often” category.  I suspect it will be excellent out-of-doors come summer.

I recommend grabbing this wine on a weeknight when you’re not sure what’s for dinner and you don’t care.  This is a wine that works when you want something you can drink until it’s gone.  Pick the right sunny day, and this will be perfect on a picnic with your significant other, (or that picture of Blanche from the Golden Girls that Tony carts around with him).

Tags: blanche, bordeaux, cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, chile, colchagua, malbec, mendoza, Napa, tony
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