Alianza Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Chile)

Today I checked my blog attendance and to my surprise, the people reading the blog have surged to 40 a day! So, I decided it is about time to renew my writing and get this blog back on track. It is Christmas time after all! It's time for family gatherings, wine tasting and good old mom's cuisine.

My gap of 4 months not writing a single line is just the result of a busy schedule, not an end to my wine passion or wine tasting. I just hope I can write down at least the most memorable wines I had in the last few months. I will start with the wines which I had during my travels this year. I start from London, where I spent my birthday.

Alianza Cabernet Sauvignon is the typical New World wine from Chile. The colour is dark ruby with some purple. A very intense aroma of berries, cherries and soft menthol. The wine is very soft tannins and good persistence. A brilliant wine for the evening!

We had the wine with the most tasty dinner I have ever tried in London (some pictures attached) - greek salad and some starters, then we finished with a very well cooked home-made pasta, English style. I also highly recommend the restaurant: Fire & Stone (31-32 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden).

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mapu Merlot Reserva 2007

The Mapu Merlot comes from the Mapu region in Chillie and we had it with currey from Shri Lanka at my friend Rouja's place. Quite an interesting and magical combination. The wine was absolutely splendid, I really loved the rich, flowery aroma. The taste was deep and intense, very unique and different from the Bulgarian merlot. I am starting to be completely fascinated by Chilean wines. Light, delicious and utterly gorgeous taste, this wine goes into my top listed.

I give all my respect to Chilean people who lost hundreds of their people, homes and beloved ones in the earthquakes at the beginning of this year. I do hope the country will soon recover from this terror.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mapu Merlot Reserva 2007

35° South Reserva Shiraz 2007

Although cold, snowy and dull, February is lovely, because it is the month of St.Valentine and Trifon Zarezan (The Bulgarian holiday of vine-growers and wine-makers). I think it is seen from the intensity of my wine posts this month that I am totally on a wine spree and very much in love too. So this wine from Chile is very special, because we drunk it on St.Valentine's Eve. It was splendid.

The wine itself has a very intense fruity aroma and dark violet colour. The taste is a bit edgy, but gentle and fresh. I could feel the dried cherries and strawberries in the taste. The wine has been left to get old for five months in French barrels, so the taste of oak can also be identified. The finishing is long lasting and memorable.

The grapes are 100% Shiraz variety from the Elqui Valley in Chile and have been hand-picked. The wine has won several medals in London and Paris.