Review Date:Aug 31 06 Product:Carmenère Selección Vintage:2005 Producer:Viña Chocalán Imported by: DSWE Reviewer:Leslie Sbrocco Publication:San Francisco Chronicle Review: Hot deals from below the equator... For a supple, earthy red, seek out the 2005 Vina Chocalan Maipo Carmenere from Chile ($10). From a family-owned winery located about an hour west of Santiago, ?chocalan? refers to an ancient tribal word for the yellow-blossomed bushes that thrive in the area. Carmenere was brought to Chile from Bordeaux more than a century a go and has become the country?s signature grape variety. This affordable bottling captures the grape?s velvety texture paired with layers of anise and dried herbal aromas.
