Tag Archives: Chile

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2012 Doña Dominga Merlot

We’re at cruising altitude over the East Coast and I sip the 2012 Merlot offered by Dona Dominga, a Chilean wine from the Colchagua Valley region. This leg of the journey home is but a short hop, so allowing this red to breathe is not really much of an option. Even now I think the captain is pinging the bell that signifies the start of our descent but I am determined to enjoy the beautiful sky, sunny here above the clouds, until we pivot for the ground…

2012 Dona Dominga Merlot, Chile.

2012 Dona Dominga Merlot, Colchagua Valley, Chile.

…And to enjoy too the Dominga. This clever little bottle displays the Chilean “Huaso” dance and, while the bottle itself shows some signs of wear, the grapes inside have kept comfortable; ready and ripe for sampling they swirl around this fancy US Airways plastic cup and beg for a better venue—and better glassware.

This Merlot, despite going immediately from bottle to taste buds, holds up reasonably well. It’s fragrant enough to send notes throughout my personal space, both lighter than a Cab and heavier than a Pinot Noir. As I swirl my glass here in the sunlight streaming through the window, the Dona Dominga almost looks like a blood offering to this weary traveler. On the palate the Dominga is surprisingly gentle and its scent a plum/berry combination. Just 187ML to sample and it’s nearly gone already.

Definitely not blackberries here; almost a cherry/strawberry vibe that I might not pick if I read it on a label…but a treat nonetheless as we streak homeward. I do like Meomi and know that US Airways doesn’t offer it on flights this short, so your choices for red are essentially the Tunupa and the Dominga. Twice previously I’ve gone with the former yet think I’ll repeat the Dominga on the next such occasion. I’m in good spirits (no pun intended) and hope you are too, wherever you’re reading this. Thanks for your continued interest and kind regards.

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2012 Tunupa Dios De Los Andes, Cabernet Sauvignon

Rarely do I consume an adult beverage mid-flight, even one across the country as today, because of some overarching need to be stone cold and ready to drive, meet, or present upon landing.  Tonight, though, none of those considerations stands in the way of me and the Tunupa Cabernet Sauvignon.

2012 Tunupa Dios Los Andes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

2012 Tunupa Dios Los Andes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile

Granted, it’s an airline offering, chosen by the folks at U.S. Airways, but surprisingly enjoyable.  I’m not sure if that’s due to the low expectations I had going in or the long days I’ve kept as of late, but this red is better than adequate and keeps me content as we streak across the country toward L.A.  My back is less achy, my eyelids heavier—what else are you really looking for?

Tunupa offers a fruity and fragrant bouquet, possibly with some oak aging herein, more than a spicy or earthy nose.  (Not quite sure on the oak barrels but positive a Google search could easily verify if the spirit takes you.)  The berry scent I can’t quite pinpoint despite multiple attempts but it is good…more cherry but perhaps a hint of strawberry in here somewhere as well?  Fragrant and easy in its finish, too.

I have no real pairings to offer on this occasion; I’m just snacking on salted peanuts and hoping for real food on the other leg of this journey.  An Airbus is not exactly a skyborne bar but if it was I’d probably grab another 175ml of the Tunupa on the double-hop.

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2012 Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir

The other bottle I’ll remember from my cousin’s wedding reception at the National Aquarium in Baltimore is the 2012 Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir.  I’ve seen the brand previously–always reminds me of the “Face Painter” episode of Seinfeld–but don’t think I had ever sampled prior to this fun weekend in the Inner Harbor.

2012 Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir, Chile

2012 Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir, Chile

It’s not unusual for someone to drift from Merlot to Pinot Noir as I did this evening, but I do recognize it’s not quite the game plan.  But sometimes you have to mix it up and just go for it.  Most of the Pinot Noirs we drink come from California, and would generally advocate them as my favorites to others from (in some semblance of order) Oregon, South America, or Europe.  I’m not sure if this is based on the regions themselves or the quality of the wines originating therein, but the Diablo held up well in this light.

Since we were caught up in all the merriment, I barely remembered to shoot the label and certainly don’t recall any specifics I might offer you.  That I stopped the bartender to photograph the Diablo is an endorsement in some small way–not exactly of assistance if you’re looking to match this up with some great steak or get a feel for its composition, but a positive note nevertheless.