Root:1 Colchagua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

The unique labeling attracts your attention and does a good job communicating the importance of good rootstock to making a good wine. The story goes that these are rare ungrafted vines growing in a rarified region. Unlike most of the world's wine growing regions, here in Colchagua Valley Phylloxera has not destroyed the original vines or forced new vines to be grafted onto resistant root stock.

Seattle based Click Wine Group is partners with giant Agrosuper Viña Ventisquero on Root:1 Chilean Cabernet.

Winemaker Felipe Tosso reports the source of fruit is the Apalta and El Suspiro ("the whisper") Vineyards in Colchagua Valley, a sub-region of Rapel Valley. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, aged about 1 year in French oak barrels.

Outstanding value ($11). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14%.

Style: Fruit forward, complex, lush, dark fruit, some oak spice.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep ruby translucent. Aromas: Cherry, loganberry, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, and sage. Rich, well-structured and medium-bodied, the jammy dark fruit flavors merge with spicy cedary oak to create a big dry reverberating finish.

Comment: This unexpectedly fruity and new worldly Chilean Cab goes great with a medium rare steak.

Comments

[Damion]

This is a great wine for the buck!! I was recommended this wine by a sales clerk at Cost Plus World Market. I loved it! It has a taste like no other. I definitely tasted coffee with slight oak. Stop by my site leave a comment at cheapwinecritics.com!!

[Laney]

Love this wine... It is in the premium Colchagua Valley and the price is right. Love the spice that this one has and goes great with blackened steak. mmmmm mmmmm good.

[jacksonhunted]

There's a lot of complexity here; tannins are muted, it's loaded with fruit, and there's more spice than pepper. Think Spanish garnacha more than California Cab. We had it with a prime rib roast and it paired beautifully.