After thoroughly enjoying the Mayu Pinot Noir at a recent press tasting, I was eager to try their Carménère. This 2020 vintage comes from the Elqui Valley, one of Chile’s most extreme wine regions, situated nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. With around 300 days of sunshine a year, this climate offers ideal conditions for producing bold, distinctive wines.
Winemaker Giorgio Flessati, whose Italian heritage deeply influences his approach, has created the world’s first appassimento Carménère. This technique involves allowing 60% of the grapes to dry, concentrating the flavours and producing an intense, unique wine.
The aroma of this wine is striking, with atmospheric notes of woody coal ash. On the palate, it offers rich flavours of black fruit, plum and fig, complemented by a round mouthfeel. The 14.5% alcohol content provides a pleasant warmth, while the wine’s medium to full body and gentle tannins lead to a long finish with lingering hints of dark chocolate and black pepper.
I drank the wine over several days, and while it was initially great, it seemed to improve with each passing day. By the final day in was so flavoursome that I was sad to see it finished. I imagine it might benefit from decanting.
This hearty wine pairs beautifully with rich, flavourful dishes like stews, casseroles and pies. However, I found it equally enjoyable on its own, as it offers a great, unique, flavour profile, a fusion of Chilean and Italian, unlike anything I’ve tasted before.
Rated highly with a 3.9 score on Vivino, Mayu Carménère Appassimento 2020 has also been commended at the International Wine Challenge and won a Sommeliers Choice Award. Available at Majestic for £10.99 in their Mix Six offer.
