Lapostolle Casa Carmenère 2010

I picked up Lapostolle Casa Carmenère 2010 last week predominantly because I liked the fact that the label stated they were a carbon neutral vineyard, that it was a Carmenère, and that it was easy on the wallet. Lapostolle was founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle [the great granddaughter of the creator of the French liqueur Grand Mariner], and her husband Cyril de Bournet. Their winemaking philosophy is rooted in producing wines that express the superb terroirs of Chile, in addition to respecting and working in complete harmony with the environment. They are Demeter Certified Biodynamic, CarbonNeutral certified and Organic certified. Some of their methods involve composting all residual vegetation; they compost on average 700 tons of grape stems and skins each year to use as fertilizer, using only native yeasts during production, the bottles are 14% lighter and are made with up to 60% recycled material, and they promote a culture emphasizing sustainability and the environment with everyone they work and collaborate with. They have found that with these and many other sustainable practices, their farm has become self-sufficient, protecting more than 700 acres of native Chilean vegetation and wildlife within their vineyards, the “soil, plants, humans and animals interact in a closed, self-nourishing system”.

Opaque purple with red-violet highlights in colour, after aerating aromas of woodsy oak and fresh raspberry radiated from the glass. Tart cherry, juicy blackberry and raspberry flavours mingled with traces of earthy tobacco in the medium-full body. Spicy pink peppercorn gave way to toasty oak and licorice notes embraced by rich vanilla in the lengthy finish. Easy drinking with juicy fruit, cozy spices and velvety tannins, this is a fantastic glass with dinner or all on its own.

89% Carmenère, 6% Merlot, 5% Syrah

Rappel Valley

Chile

Produced & Bottled by Casa Lapostolle S.A., Santa Cruz

14.1% Alcohol

$10

Enjoy now thru 2014