Viu Manent Carmenere 2005

by Ethan Johnson
January 8, 2007

Hey hey! Steak's on the menu tonight (after a fairly long hiatus), which means it's time to pull the cork on some:

Producer (Vineyard): Viu Manent
Varietal (Grape type): Carmenere
Vintage (Year): 2005
Country: Chile
Color: Red
Cost: Inexpensive ($10 USD)

Teh booze

Swirl and Sniff: Nice purply red. I didn't pick up most of the scents the bottle told me I should have. I detected cherry vibes with biting alcohol vapors.

Taste: Lightly tannic, water on the edges with a berry core. Smooth finish with a spiteful alcoholic snap at the end. Snort.

Pairing: I drank this with grilled steak and baked scalloped potatoes. The wine didn't seem to agree with the potato/onion combo, and didn't do much to enhance the steak. If anything, the wine was OK on its own but became more astringent with food.

Rating: When it comes to this wine, I would (and you may):

  • Buy three or more bottles for regular enjoyment
  • Buy a bottle or two for occasional enjoyment
  • Ask for when dining out or at a party
  • Settle for if your preferred wine is not available
  • Politely decline and never drink again, ever

If you're hosting or attending a party, this is excellent "drink it and forget it" wine. It packs a 14.5% ABV punch, however, so don't be roped in by the smooth, forgettable first glass and think that this is some kind of "sissy" wine. Just ask the stars, planets, and birds circling my head - it's deceptive.

If you do give this a try, please let me know how your experience compared with mine. Thanks! <EM>

(The Totally Unpretentious Wine Reviews Index may be found here.)

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