Matt Lirette brought this delicious Syrah to me a few weeks ago to try and I knew we had to have it! Chono is situated in the Elqui Valley, 500 kilometers north of Santiago, Chile and close to the Pacific Ocean which makes for cooling breeze and longer hang time for ripeness. Handpicked from the stony, wind-swept slopes of this semi-arid desert vineyard, grapes give rich color and intense spice, with notes of tar and touches of bacon fat, a true poor man's Côte Rôtie! Small yields give the wine great concentration, the tannins are round and supple, and the mouth delivers an endless flood of rich, black fruits.
One of Chile's most renowned winemakers, Alvaro Espinoza, guides this wine from field to bottle making for an outstanding value for its high quality, and a sheer pleasure to drink.
$15.50; Try it Wednesday in our 90under20 Tasting!
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 pts
Medium purple; smoked meat and game, lavender, spice box; lots of flavor, no hard edges.
