Viña Palo Alto 2012 Reserva - 87pts

Viña Palo Alto 2012 Reserva (D.O. Maule Valley) - Chile

Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores

Cost: $14.99

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: June 17th, 2014

Tasting Notes: A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere and 20% Syrah, this is a quality wine by winemaker Héctor Urzúa for Chilean producer Viña Palo Alto. Named for the thorny, flowering trees that are dotted all over the hillsides of the Maule Valley, this is a fairly complex wine at a bargain price with a seductive, feminine nose of cassis, maraschino cherry, pipe tobacco, leather and star anise aromas. The dry, concentrated palate offers supple, dark fruit and spicy, savoury flavours with meaty tannins and mouth-watering acidity which helps keep the moderate finish fluid and balanced. 

 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca

Palo Alto 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc - 86pts

Palo Alto 2009 Reserva Sauvignon Blanc (Maule Valley) Chile

Availability: Private wine shops
Cost: $12-16
Alcohol: 13%
Date Tasted: January 19th, 2011

Tasting Notes: Rich and round, this Sauvignon Blanc from Chile's Maule Valley offers a change of pace from ultra-tart New Zealand examples. Grapefruit, pineapple, pear and mineral characters manifest as potent flavours on the slightly off-dry palate and as delicate aromas on the subtle nose. Good acidity balances the powerful fruit. Drink 2011-2013.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2011 IconWines.ca

Palo Alto 2008 Reserva - 88pts

Palo Alto 2008 Reserva (Maule Valley) - Chile

Decanted: 2hrs

Cost: $14.99 (BC Liquor Stores)

Date Tasted: September 8th, 2009

Tasting Notes: A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Carmenere and 15% Syrah, this is a quality wine by winemaker Héctor Urzúa for Chilean producer Palo Alto. Named for the thorny flowering trees that are dotted all over the hillsides of the Maule Valley, this is a complex wine at a bargain price. A nose of cassis, leather and notes of tobacco. The palate shows dark fruits with firm yet balanced acidity and medium tannins.

This is a classic grilled meats wine that enjoys a long finish waiting for that next bite of smoky chicken or flank steak. It also pairs surprisingly well with season six of "24" on DVD which I am trying to catch-up on. Therefore, pair with BBQ or Jack Bauer. - LC