Root 1: Chilean Cab

[jquest63]

Root 1: Chilean Cab

I'm always on the prowl for good wine values. Stumbled across the Chilean Root 1 2007 Cabernet at Costco. Purchased for about $10. Poured out dark and lovely, with a nice musky, fruity nose. Tasted great: very plush, rich and fruity with a slight oaky back bone. But the overwhelming flavors were of ripe fruit: black cherry/plum. Was very pleasantly surprised. Outstanding for the price. Best red wine value I've come across in a while.

[DocRKS]

There are some magical wines coming out of Chile - and talk about GREAT price points !!!!

Look at all of the established FRENCH houses that are buying up vineyards in Chile or pairing with Chilean producers - there's a good reason!

[Rogers72]

Like you, I picked up some Root 1 a while back and really like it for the price. "Musky" is the best word to describe it and that appeals to me. Good, Cheap wine. I haven't had it in a couple of months but I may grab some more now that you have reminded me. It is usually pretty easy to find here in grocery stores.

[jquest63]

Glad I sparked your memory. With grilling season here, gonna pick up a case. Cheap and good is seemingly rare with wine.

[TDCOOK]

Well since Quote isn't working... Good post Roman. The original fine Bourdeau's were transplanted to Chile in a migration in the 1800's. In France, there was a terrible blight that wiped out ALL of the original roots. They were re-planted with hybrids . Chile is the only place in the worrld with the original roots.

What's so special about Chile' is that it is one of two places in the world where the vallies run East west instead of Nort South in the Western Hemisphere. That allows the morning fog to come in and carress the grapes and slowly bring the sugar content up. Chilean Wines are an excellent value and quality..

Where is the only other Western Hemispere area where vallies run East West??????? My Californian Home town of Santa Maria and the Edna Valley....... F%^&in Killer pinot's and petite Sarah's.. Those are hard to come by.

Salute..TC!

[Ken Gargett]

In France, there was a terrible blight that wiped out ALL of the original roots. They were re-planted with hybrids . Chile is the only place in the worrld with the original roots.

no disrespect but that it nonsense. plenty of other places still on own rootstocks. most of australia for a start - it is why we have the world's oldest shiraz, cab and so on.

also, they were not replanted with hybrids but rather, as the blight - a good word for it - came from america, they took american rootstocks and grafted the european vines to them. it attacks the roots, hence the only way to beat it. still a threat to regions where it has not struck.

the blight was phylloxera - an aphid. fascinating stuff. hit not just france but right through europe. there are a couple of places in europe where it didn't strike - the vineyards used for bollinger's VVF champagne and quinta do noval's nacional VP.

worked its way slowly across the continent - the story of how they tried to stop it makes fascinating reading. schoolkids in some villages filed out twice a day to piss on the vines. others buried toads next to them. and so on. anyone interested should reader george ordish's 'the great wine blight' (sounds dull but is actually terrific) or christy campbell's 'phylloxera'.

[Ken Gargett]

not wanting to look like i'm having a go at you but i'd also dispute the east west valley claim. i'd agree north south more common but think of the loire valley in france, marne valley in champagne, duero in spain, douro valley in portugal, wachau in austria, a bit more iffy but marlborough in nz to an extent just a few.

[jquest63]

Had another bottle over the weekend. Paired it with New Zealand lamb kabobs, marinated with olive oil, lemon, garlic, pepper and greek oregano. OMG! Smoked a PSD4 after the meal. Red meat, wine and cigar heaven.

[TDCOOK]

No Offense Ken but those are not the same regions as i was refereing to.

Perhaps i should not have said the world , My Bad but the western coastal hemisphere area.

I don't make things up baby.. Do some research. It's common knowledge round these parts..

Any Way have a Good Day Mate.. Good to see you still kicking...

[CasaSoho]

I am no enophile. But I am glad to pick up on this thread as I just happened to purchase this bottle the other day. The market's Spanish selection was lacking and I thought time to give Chile a try.