A Bordeaux Style Wine from Chile

While out celebrating our Anniversary, we had this amazing Bordeaux style wine from Chile. So amazingly delicious!

We enjoyed this decadent wine at El Che Steakhouse & Bar in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. This place always delivers and this night was no exception. Upon our arrival, they offered us complimentary glasses of Champagne to celebrate our Anniversary. How wonderful is that? Especially, considering they’ve been at a fraction of capacity for several months.

They were not seating in the dining room that night and only had about six tables in front of the restaurant on the sidewalk. So, this made the gesture extra special. We were so touched.

As we looked over the menu, we decided to go the steak route. After all, this is an Argentinian steakhouse that uses live-fire cooking. Then the waiter mentioned the Tomahawk steak special. Uh huh! That’s right. You know what we ordered.

What Makes this Wine Special?

After looking over the wine menu, the Sommelier stopped by to see how he could lend a hand. He recommended the Le Petit Clos Apalta 2015 from Chile. This wine is produced in the Bordeaux style meaning that it uses a blend of French Bordeaux grapes. Typical French Bordeaux wine will include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as the base and will blend in small portions of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and/or Petite Verdot grapes. This Chilean wine includes 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Carménère, and 4% Petit Verdot.

To clarify, Carménère was originally planted in Bordeaux, France and used in the Bordeaux blends. Today, Carménère is difficult to find in France. However, Chile is the world’s largest producer of this grape. This makes the Bordeaux style Chilean wine even more special. As it holds to the origins of the Bordeaux blend while providing a positively Chilean stamp on the wine.

What Do the Wine Critics Say?

This was a really fantastic wine. No kidding. It reminded me of the wonderful Round Pond Cabernet Sauvignon and Left Bank Blend wines that we have on constant rotation at our house.

With a little bit of research, I found that this wine gets outstanding ratings from the critics. James Suckling – 95; Robert Parker – 93; Wine Enthusiast – 92.

James Suckling’s description of this wine: Blackberry, fresh herb, wet earth and tar aromas (okay…tar doesn’t sound appealing, but let’s hear him out) follow through to a full body, with powerful tannins and density yet an agile and polished, textured finish.

Chilean Wine Wrap Up

If you love full-bodied, dark fruit cabernet that has smooth tannins and wonderful deep oak flavors, then you have to try this one. It’s the perfect wine to pair with steak and will make your occasion extra special. Salud! Cheers!