Costing under $20 with 13.5% alcohol, the 2011 Dalbosco Carmenere Reserve from Chile scored a good 15+ Dionysian points out of 20.

A hint of bandaid made me first think it might be a South African Pinotage, but as it opened and aired (it wasn’t decanted) more clean fruit took over.

Deeply colored with a purple edge, it showed red cherries and some plum with a lot of herbs and spices.

I’ve been to the vineyards in Chile, but never had time to stop by Dalbosco. They’re deep in the Lamari Valley, an excellent location for growing grapes.

I sometimes feel that Chilean wine growers harvest a bit too soon and end up with green tea and bell pepper notes in their reds. No always. In Vino Veritas.