Deep ruby color; blackberry, plum, cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, chocolate, oak spice, black peppercorn, soft minerality on the nose and palate.
Dry; creamy, soft tannins; moderate acidity (3.66 pH). Medium body. Tasty presentation of vivid red and black fruit without going overboard into jammy. Grapes were hand-picked. Fermented in stainless steel. Matured in mix of 58% untoasted foudre and 42% new French barriques (79-gallon) for 16 months, so the oak is nicely integrated but not a dominant player in the flavor parade. Malolactic fermentation occurred in the barrels.
Terranoble’s CA2 project seeks to present Chilean carménère from the Lolol appellation in the western Colchagua Valley unencumbered by tarted up distractions conjured in the winery. This elegantly succeeds. Remarkably drinkable, versatile red wine. 14.5% ABV
TerraNoble makes two carménères. CA1 is from plots near the Andes. CA2 is from plot near the Pacific coast—the Lolol vineyard is 25 miles from the coast. The winery states it purpose: “Enchant and captivate with authentic wines that reflect our pioneering spirit and the nobility of our land, respecting the people and nature that surrounds us.” Alejandro Abarca is the managing director. Marcelo García is the winemaker. Pedro Vega is the viticulturist.
TerraNoble began in 1993 by a group that wanted to establish a boutique winery specializing in “Chilean merlot” in the Maule Valley. The name “TerraNoble” celebrated Chilean soil. The next year, “Chilean merlot” was correctly identified as carménère, and that grape became the principal focus, although cabernet sauvignon also was planted. In 2009, the winery began vinifying grapes from the Colchagua Valley, from where the material for this effort came.
In 2016, The International Wine & Spirits Competition recognized TerraNoble as the “Chilean Wine Producer of the Year.” In 2019, obtained Sustainable Wine of Chile certification. In 2020, it earned V-Label certification to guarantee wines were suitable for those following a vegan diet. From the website: “Our responsibility is to leave a better environment for future generations.”
TerraNoble CA2 Costa Carménère, Valle de Colchagua, Chile 2020 is fresh, easily approachable example of carménère with restrained, deft use of oak. Charming sweetness from the ripe fruit, but very well short of jammy or tawdry notes. Clean, versatile easy drinker with charming tannins and enough acidity to give it character. Pair with lamb, beef, veal, wild game; pasta dishes; baked, broiled chicken; ham roast, baby back ribs; comfort food—meatloaf, burgers and sliders, pizza, mac and cheese. Cheese—hard, aged cheeses; goat cheese; mozzarella, pepper jack, farmer’s cheese, cotija, feta, parmesan. $30-37
U.S. importer website for TerraNoble
