It's the Real deal...
News reaches me that Vina Camino Real, Chilean wine producer and exporter, is on the look out for a UK distributor following the launch of its new corporate image. This long-time Chilean wine producer was established in 1879 and has been exporting its wines through brokers for the past 20 years. It is now approaching the market on a direct basis and has decided to create its own export department to handle sales. Mrs Soledad Carvallo (vice-president sales), tells me that its estate-bottled Camino Real wines are unique in the world. They are produced in a favoured geographic area of Chile, the Cachapoal Valley, that is located where the Andes and the coastal mountains meet, close to the Pacific Ocean. A member of "Chilevid" (the association of producers and exporters of fine wines), which now has a UK office, around 37% of its vines are between 20 and 30-years-old and its grapes are harvested entirely by hand. With two French oenologists to handle the vinification and the entire production process, it comes as no surprise to learn that its wines are already being sold in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The vineyards originated as part of a large property belonging to the Jesuit Order in a location that has a very special climate, which accentuates the exceptional conditions for wine production. Wine experts around the world know this area as the Holy Trinity, referring to its deep calcareous soils, Mediterranean climate and phylloxera-free vines. This last factor is of enormous importance as the vines are not grown on grafted stocks, but on their own stocks, descended from those brought from France in the middle of the 19th century. Star performer in the Camino Real range is its Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2001 (Black Label), which was awarded a silver medal in the 2003 Japan Wine Challenge. Full bodied and harmonious on the palate, the rich fruit and toasty oak flavours provide a long, full finish. Also worthy of note in the Camino Real portfolio are:
Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Label) 2000, a full-bodied red wine with notes of vanilla, which enhances the intense berry fruit flavours.
Merlot 2002 ruby red with purple reflections, plum and blackberry aromas, but firm on the palate with soft tannins this wine has finesse and a long, lingering finish.
Carmenère 2002 the "Lost and Rediscovered" grape variety this is a wine that is different from the traditional varieties. Characteristics on the nose include aromas of mild green pepper, blackberries and blueberries. A medium-bodied wine with light tannins, it is also round and smooth.
Sauvignon Blanc 2002. Pale yellow in colour, this wine features delicate aromas of honeydew melon, white peach and citrus. On the palate the wine is well balanced, rounded and tasty.
Chardonnay 2001. Very fruity with notes of pear, white peach and a hint of smoke, this is a wine that is fresh and round in the mouth. l ‑Rosé 2002. Pink-red in colour, the intense nose opens with crushed raspberry and blackberry aromas. Very well balanced, it has a silky texture on the palate with a crisp and dry finish. As a matter of interest, the Carmenere grape variety was very important in the Bordeaux region before the advent of phylloxera, which growers took as a sign from nature to give up trying to cultivate such a low-yielding, disease-prone vine. In Chile, however, which is phylloxera-free and enjoys extremely healthy growing conditions for viticulture, such weaknesses are less of a problem. Although Camino Real does not have (at the time of writing) a UK distributor, I cannot believe that it will be too long before some enterprising wine merchant decides to handle these wonderful wines.
