LCBO Sale Pick of the Week: Sept. 3

Errazuriz 2013 Max Reserva (Aconcagua, Chile)

Sale $14.95, Regular $18.95
Discount (until Sept. 13): $4.00
LCBO # 335174 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Super smooth melding of red berries and black fruit with a nudge of savoury. Poised.
Pairs with: Prime rib with jus, rosemary-rubbed ribeye, hot roast beef sandwich, filet mignon, beef stew. (Get it? It’s a meat wine.)
Good for: At this price? Drink it with lunch, dinner and midnight snacks.
Alcohol: 14%
Drink: Now to 2018.

Why we're drinking this
There’s great Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile, where top wines can give Bordeaux a serious run for the money. Even the budget-priced wines are impressive. At an unprecedented LCBO sale price of $4 off, the Errazuriz Max Reserva is a formidable deal for such a wine. The Valle de Aconcagua is a famed vineyard area for Cabernet Sauvignon. In his wonderful book, Grapes and Wines (co-written by Margaret Rand), U.S. wine writer Oz Clarke states: “Aconcagua wines are structured, closed in but still sweet and ripe at heart.” Right.

Tasting note
Fragrant nose of blackberry, cherry and plum, pine resin and a touch of vanilla. So very pretty and inviting. The palate displays succulent (but not sweet) ripe fruit, that lovely pine quality (savoury, really). For wine lovers who find some Cabs too big and overbearing — especially the more austere Bordeauxs or tarted-up Californians — this wine should come as a nice surprise. It’s truly drinkable, very easygoing, yet has definite personality, structure and presence. It’s a style the Chileans do very well. Tannins are supple, the acidity is medium and perfectly balanced, and the lovely fruity/smoky finish is pronounced. Can you believe this wine is under $15? We can’t. But it’s not a typo — so get out there and stock up!

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This week's selection by kwäf Taste Bud Dick Snyder