Can Petit Verdot, Tannat and Spain Harmonize?
There is very little information about this wine online. It’s not even listed on the importer’s website and the winery’s blog doesn’t say much more than what’s on the label. But it got 90+ points from Jay Miller in the Wine Advocate so I guess that’s why it ended up at Costco. When I saw that it was Petit Verdot and Tannat from Spain and it was 10 bucks, I couldn’t resist.
Chapillon Cuvée Harmonie 2006
Producer: Chapillon
Grapes: 90% Petit Verdot, 10% Tannat
Appellation: “Red Wine from Aragon” (Spain)
Vineyards: No info, but some photos from the winery’s blog are at the bottom of this post.
Winemaking: No info
Alcohol: 14%
Price: About $10 at Costco.
My tasting notes: Good dark color with a vibrant red edge. An enjoyable and interesting nose. Initially, I get loads of black pepper and behind that are pine and dusty violet aromas. On the palate, it is very green/herbal/stemmy and dry, with bright (not rich) raspberry and blueberry flavors and a bit of meatiness. A few times I catch a hint of creamy oakiness, but it’s fleeting. I’d say it leans toward medium-bodied.
Overall impression: Pleasant and interesting, though probably not compelling enough to make me seek it out again. I can’t help but think it might be improved with a healthy dose of something richer in the blend. A decent (and cheap) introduction to varietal Petit Verdot, perhaps. C+/B-
Free association:
The Green Violet-Ear Hummingbird
More info:
The winery’s blog reproduces the 90+ point Wine Advocate/Jay Miller review.
Another wine blogger review at The Caveat Emptyer Wine List.
Mean score at CellarTracker is 88.5 (from 9 ratings).
Signalwriter, an ad blogger, didn’t like this wine, but liked the plastic cork.
Importer is Misa Imports, Inc. (Dallas).
Photos of the vineyard:
4 comments. Add yours.
There seem to be a lot 10$ Spanish reds that get 90 points from Jay Miller…I seem to have better luck with the Stephen Tanzer 90 pointers or the un-oaked/minimally oaked garnacha.
Yeah, it’s good to find a critic (or blogger!) whose palate aligns with yours. Sort of like Joey’s “hand-twin” on that Friends episode. I don’t think Jay Miller is my my palate-twin.
Intriguing blend! I wonder if all those green tannins were from the Tannat.
I tend to get that greenness in most Petit Verdot wines I taste, but the Tannat may contribute too.