Viña La Rosa is one of the oldest wineries in Chile, established in 1824 by don Francisco Ignacio Ossa y Mercado.  That’s a name and a half, if you ask me.

I’m not going to get into a lot of background on this wine, but instead jump ahead to, “90 alert, 90 alert!!!”  As a website focused on relatively inexpensive wine, we don’t come across a lot of wine that we score in the 90′s.  There’s a lot of good wine, some very good wine, but the exceptional wine is limited in this price range.  And at $18, this is edging toward the upper end of our price range. I realize that it’s just a number, and some folks detest the 100 point system, but what I’m really saying here is “this is an awesome wine!”

And while the 2008 was exceptional, we also tasted a bottle of the 2006 that was flawed and undrinkable.  So, if you seek this wine out, be sure to check the vintage.

Chocolate is all over the nose of this wine, along with plum and nutmeg.  The palate is filled with rich fruit, particularly luscious blackberry and blueberry, and that fruit lasts for a long, long, long finish.  There’s a little smokiness to this wine, which is most noticeable on the finish.  This is a very elegant wine and is exceptional for the price.

Wine: Viña La Rosa La Capitana
Variety: Carménère
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 90
Price: $13.00

Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.