El León Single Vineyard Carignan

VARIETALS

90% Carignan

5% Carmenère

5% Malbec

APPELLATION

Maule Valley, Chile

 

El León Single Vineyard Carignan

The Single Vineyard collection is produced from small parcels in limited quantities in the finest vintages. They are exemplary representations of Chile’s most unique terroirs. Located in the coastal mountain region known as the Maule Valley, the 60-year-old vines of El León are dry-farmed digging deep roots in granite soil. A field blend consisting of predominantly Carignan, this wine is defined by intense ripe cherry aromas. It is elegant, fresh, and concentrated, presenting a superb natural acidity that will allow it to age gracefully over many years. The tannins are soft after 14-16 months of aging in large oak barrels known as foudres giving this wine a persistent, generous finish.

 

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2009

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 91 pts

Brilliant ruby. Sexy, smoke- and spice-tinged aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, violet and cola. Bitter cherry and cassis flavors gain sweetness with air, picking up notes of vanilla and black pepper. Sweet and seamless on the persistent finish, with the cherry and vanilla notes echoing. There are little bits of carmenere and malbec mixed among the carignan vines in this dry-farmed, granitic site, which was planted in the early 1950s.

S. Tanzer, February 2014

Wine Advocate - 89 pts

The 2009 Single Vineyard “El Leon” Carignan comes from the 1.5 hectare, dry farmed single vineyard that is then aged for 15 months in used French oak barrels. It has a pure bouquet with strawberry pastille and blood orange aromas, while the palate is well defined with saturated tannins, supple black cherry and raspberry fruit that lead to a sappy, generous finish. It lacks complexity for the price, but is well made. Drink now-2014.

N. Martin, December 2012

Wine Enthusiast - 89 pts

This is dark on the nose, with a heavy dose of chocolaty oak. It feels crisp due to its high acidity, but also feels raring to go. The flavors of blackberry and plum are snappy and dry, while the finish is driven by the acidity. It will age well; drink now-2016.

M. Schachner, December 2012

Wine Spectator - 88 pts

This fruit-driven red is marked by a core of dark cherry fruit, backed by light tannins and an aftertaste of licorice. Drink now.

K. Marcus, Web Only 2013

2007

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 92 pts

Inky-ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes redcurrant, cherry pie, smoky minerals and an exotic note of potpourri. Deeply pitched red and dark fruit flavors show uncanny vivacity and pick up notes of rose and lavender pastille with air. Juicy and palate-staining, with intense finishing spiciness and excellent length.

J. Raynolds, May 2011

Wine Advocate - 90+ pts

Sourced from vines over 60 years of age. Medium purple in color, it gives up an earthy nose with hints of balsamic, Asian spices, tobacco, and assorted black fruits. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with layered spicy fruit, intense flavors, good balance, and a medium-long finish. It has 1-2 years of aging potential but can be approached now through 2019.

J. Miller, December 2010

Wine Spectator - 90 pts

Dark and liberally toasty, but with a pure beam of cassis and blackberry fruit as well. The rich finish lets tar, licorice and tobacco hang on, with velvety tannins adding length. Drink now through 2012.

J. Molesworth, September 2011

2006

Wine Enthusiast - 90 pts

From 70-year-old bush vines, this is excellent Maule Carignan. It has a brightness of fruit that puts the spotlight on cherry and raspberry, and while the color is a brilliant ruby it isn’t dense, deep or heavy. There’s a lightness of being to it, but also structure and acidity that will allow it to age.

M. Schachner, December 2009

Wine Spectator - 90 pts

A slightly old-school style, offering hints of game and cedar that quickly give way to supple mulled cherry, linzer torte and spice notes. The mature finish lets fine-grained tannins glide through easily, while nicely integrated acidity helps add length. Drink now.

J. Molesworth, November 2010
No recipes were found for this product.