Wine Review – 2008 Concha Y Toro Frontera Carmenere
From: Chile
Price: $7.99 (1.5L)
After recently having a wonderful tasting experience with the “Frontera” Cab/Merlot, I thought that it was time to try another red wine from the affordable Concha Y Toro lineup. In my review of the 2008 Cab/Merlot Frontera, I said that this wine blew me away for what worked out to be less than $4 per 750ml. I found the Frontera Cab/Merlot to be very good and a real recession-buster wine. So with this past tasting experience in the back of my mind, I was really hoping that lightning would strike again with this 2008 Concha Y Toro Carmenere that was also priced at $7.99 for a 1.5 liter bottle.
Unfortunately, this red wine from the folks at Concha Y Toro came up a little short for me. It’s not a bad wine in the least: It has a terrific light to medium raspberry flavor with some soft spices that I found to be very enjoyable. However, I found it to lack some of the intense Carmenere flavors found in competitors costing a few dollars more. Because this Chilean Carmenere was so light and simple tasting and it did little to get my attention, I have to give it 2 stars.
WineLife365 Rating: 2-Star
Posted in 2-Star, Reds, Reviews-Wine | 
Tags: 2-Star, 2008, Carmenere, Chile, Concha y Toro, Red Wine, Wine Reviews, Wines under $10, Wines under $20
6 Responses to “Wine Review – 2008 Concha Y Toro Frontera Carmenere”
I’ve seen this in my wine store and actually have picked it up a few times, although have always decided on a different Carmenere. I guess I should keep it that way.
Try the 2007. I would be interested in your comparison. I’ve not tried the 2008, but found this vintage to be pretty complex and interesting. I also like the new Malbec from them and completely agree with your rating of the Cab/Merlot. Reminds me of a really good Pinot Noir from Oregon but at 1/5 the cost!
Concha y Toro is a terrific producer. I'm looking forward to trying the Malbec very soon.
Cheers!
Mark
Personally I have found a range amonjg the three or four bottles of C&T Carmenere we've opened, and the best of them was the first — spicy and fine. As you say, the others are light. So is the price
Tom in Destin
Purchased the Carmenere (Frontera/Concha y Toro) 12//2/10, tasted just like vinegar, had just one glass which gave me a hangover. Attempted to return it to Parway Liquors in Phillipsburg NJ the store clerk refused to discuss the problem and insisted that the product's defect was not "his" problem, even if the wine were gasoine and people could get sick from it, he stated "not my problem". Avoid.
Definitely sounds like you need to fire your current wine and spirits shop Jack and give the folks at Concha Y Toro a second chance somewhere else! Try the Cab/Merlot once you've found a new store – it’s got a little more spunk to it than the Carmenere.
Cheers!