If you haven't heard about the Bonarda grape I do feel a bit sorry for you - only a bit because it is not always the best wine coming out of Argentina ... but hopefully in years to come we might start seeing some really exceptional Bonarda hitting our shores. A good place to have started, had you been able to pick some up when it passed through the LCBO (or wherever else you purchase your booze) was this great bottle of Chakana Bonarda, and it's drinking better now than it did when I first laid lips to glass for a swig. The fruit is black and rich, there's chocolate notes, plum and a lovely smooth finish with just a titch of white pepper that keeps it was being too silky - you could say that Bonarda has bite, but just a little. If you've got some sitting around it's a great bottle to drink now ... my only problem is the plastic cork that closes the bottle, which means my last bottle (buried deep in the bowels of my cellar for ageing, might not make the journey of a few more years, sigh. Thankfully it wasn't an expensive bottle, which is another good thing about Bonarda wines these days.
Showing posts with label Bonarda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonarda. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2012
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Chakana 2009 Bonarda (Argentina)
Call this the second red grape of Argentina, but get to know it so that you aren't surprised when it finally takes the wine world by storm. Well, maybe a little bit of over exaggeration there, but this truly is one of those grapes that when done right can make a really seductive wine - and considering that everything Argentinean (namely Malbec) is hot in the wine world these days it shouldn't be long before we start seeing more Bonarda on liquor store shelves. This was a dark fruited wine backed by spice, that was lush and tasty. I see a problem with its ageing potential though - the plastic cork isn't even giving it much of a fighting chance, so open now and enjoy; maybe as the years progress we'll see more under cap or cork and see what this wine can do over the long haul.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Chakana 2009 Yaguarete Collection Bonarda (Argentina)
Bonarda is set to be the next big red from Argentina. I have tried a few from the this South American country and each time I am impressed with the flavours and excellent value these wines offer - something I suspect won't be the norm for very long because the moment the wine buying public discovers Bonarda wines, the prices will slowly start to creep up. This is a beauty of a Bonarda with rich black fruit, spice and pepper notes being the most dominant right from the get-go; there is also a decent level of acidity to help balance the wine and some spiced plum that keeps showing itself on the nose and in the mouth. There seems to be a host of other very appealing smells and flavours to this wine that will have me sitting and snififng (and tasting) for a little while longer - like till the bottle is finished. Might I suggest getting some Bonarda for yourself, fairly soon, and in quantity - so that you can beat the rush that will sooner or later be coming.
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