Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2006

I didn't try this wine for a good while because the name rubbed me the wrong way; it's just too clever. Cono Sur = Southern Cone? But the price tag finally got to me. That lured me as did the curiosity of trying a Chilean Pinot Noir. It didn't hurt that Vineyard Brands imports the wine, because I've come to trust their palate.

The result: I'm on my fourth bottle and for my money Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2006 beats the other $10-$11 Pinots out there that currently rule the low end bins. You know who you are. I'm a big Salmon eater and this one works great with my bear like eating habits.

But I still don't like the name and the Cono Sur website is too clever for my tastes as well.

Outstanding value ($11). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14%.

Style: Light, tart, red fruit forward, with a touch of smoke.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Bright cranberry translucent. Aromas: Redcurrant, cranberry, plum, strawberry. Light bodied on the tongue, the sour cherry flavor mingles with light spicy smoky notes and the finish is elegant, gay, dry, not overpowering but rather uplifting.

Comment: Mrs. Slocombe said "Ignore the shoes". I say "ignore the marketing".

Comments

[Just Pinot]

What a great wine blog you have here. A local distributor sent me your review of the 2006 Cono Sur. As you state, it is truly a great value in Pinot noir regardless of its pedigree. And Vineyard Brands does, indeed, have a portfolio of high quality wines.

Please excuse my lack of sophistication but I have two questions: (1) Who is Mrs. Slocombe and what does the "Ignore the Shoes" comment mean?; and (2) What does a "gay" finish entail? In my 30 years of being a wine geek, I think this may be the first time I've ever seen that word used to describe a wine's finish, regardless of the varietal. It may have been used to describe the personality of, say, a Beaujolais Nouveau, but I've never seen it in the description of a Pinot noir finish. Does it connote bright acidity, volatile acidity, mouth-puckering acidity, something other than acidity or just a good old dose of thirst-quenchiness? Inquiring minds want to know. Keep up the good work.

[Rob W.]

I just tried this wine last night and gave it a middle of the road rating. It was on sale at $11.49 a bottle. I was intrigued by the idea of a Chilean Pinot Noir as well but thought that even if it was terrible I wasn't on the hook for that much. I had a Bridgeview Blue Moon Pinot Noir that I was able to pick up at cost that is a great pinot compared to this one. If you want a cheap, okay pinot, Cono Sur is the wine for you. Great blog by the way!