Viña Casa Viva was founded in 1993 in Chile’s Casablanca Valley where a strong maritime influence, and a significant difference between daytime and night time temperatures (diurnal variation) allow for a longer ripening process that results in tremendous balance between acidity and sugar levels.
This Carmenere, the grape that put Chile on the map, is beautifully fragrant with dark fruits complexed by savoury herbal, almost minty elements. The palate is lush and opulent with the silken texture we have come to expect from ripe yet balanced fruit that is grown in this region.
This is very good value for money. A Piedmont red under $30! It has good dark fruit, some nice tannins and acid to balance although it would benefit from some more age to smooth it a bit but I liked its feistiness now.
I was happily surprised by the quality of the labels in the "mystery" case of rose wines - great value for the money I must say. Excellent drinking experience from the unfamiliar labels and happy to enjoy again the familiar ones.