2014 Ventisquero Grey Carmenere Trinidad Vineyard Maipo Valley $20
Green vegetable characteristics tend to be unwelcome flavors in red wine to the domestic US palate. We have grown so accustomed to soft, unctuous flavors that anything straying outside the norm seems like an aberration. I’ve noticed this in my own response to many South Americans reds. This carmenere is an exception. Everything appears to be in place in this refined, poised red that is neither unctuous nor rich, but undeniably alluring in a savory way. On top of being a tremendous value, my suspicion is that it is also ageworthy. Definitely keep an eye out for this one. Terrific.
2017 Ventisquero Grey 'Glacier' (GCM) Apalta Vineyard Colchagua Valley $20
Clean, precise, and balanced. Medium-bodied fruit framed by enough acidity to make this food-friendly. Just a whisper of oak treatment adds to its honesty. Grenache, carinena, and mataro (mourvedre).
