Wine By Grape Variety | Carménère

Organic Vineyard with cropcover

The Carménère grape has found its home in Chile, but during the early19th century it was one of the most widely cultivated grape varieties in the Médoc and Graves regions of Bordeaux where it was a valued blending partner of Cabernet Franc. However its susceptibility to phylloxera led growers to uproot the vine in the 1860s and replacing it with better yielding grape varieties such as Merlot.

Carménère was first introduced in Chile in the 19th century where it thrived on the country’s phylloxera-free vineyards, as most of its vines are planted on native rootstock. For a long time it stayed in obscurity, as it was mixed with Merlot plantings in the vineyards; however, in recent times it has been correctly identified, vinified and labelled separately in its own right.

In Chile it is typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, imparting succulent and luxurious fruitiness and many of the country’s flagship wines incorporate judicious proportions of Carménère in their blends. It is now also increasingly being bottled as a single varietal wine. 

Carménère wines are deeply coloured and are usually well structured with smooth, well-rounded tannins, and ripe berry fruit flavours. Cooler climate regions, like the coastal Limari in Chile, produce an earthy, leaner, more elegant style with crunchy red fruit and green pepper flavours. Warmer climates, like in Maipo, give concentrated, heady wines, inky-coloured and with opulent notes of dark chocolate, soy sauce and black pepper.

Viña VIK 'Omega' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Viña VIK 'Omega' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

From £27.00

Perfectly balanced Cabernet blend with notes of dark fruits, strawberry & hints of spice...Read More...
Viña VIK Stonevik 2023
Viña VIK Stonevik 2023

£160.00

VIK's Stonevik is the ultimate natural wine, created in nature by nature...Read More...
Viña VIK 'Omega' Carménère 2022
Viña VIK 'Omega' Carménère 2022

From £27.00

An elegant & precise red wine blend that showcases the amazing personality of Carménère...Read More...
Viña VIK Milla Cala 2021
Viña VIK Milla Cala 2021

From £37.00

Irresistible, expressive & elegant Milla Cala is pure gold in a bottle...Read More...
Tenuta San Leonardo Carmenère 2016
Tenuta San Leonardo Carmenère 2016

From £77.00

Top-notch Carmenère from north-east Italy that will cellar for 30+ years...Read More...
Viña von Siebenthal Carmenère 2020
Viña von Siebenthal Carmenère 2020

From £22.00

An intense, complex & concentrated expression of Carmenère cultivated using organic principles...Read More...
Seña 2016
Seña 2016

£110.00

Iconic Bordeaux blend that's regularly benchmarked alongside 1st Growths & other top Cabernets...Read More...
Errazuriz Max VIII 2019
Errazuriz Max VIII 2019

From £15.50

A red blend of Bordeaux & Mediterranean grapes sourced from the 8 vineyards of Errazuriz...Read More...
Montes Alpha Carménère 2021
Montes Alpha Carménère 2021

From £18.50

An excellent expression of Carménère with soft, juicy berry fruit & sweet spiced finish...Read More...
Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2018
Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2018

From £62.00

Errázuriz's flagship Bordeaux inspired red wine named in honour of the winery's founder...Read More...
Montes Purple Angel 2021
Montes Purple Angel 2021

From £75.00

One of Chile's most lauded Carménères, 'Purple Angel' is a highly sought after wine...Read More...
Caliterra Pétreo Carménère 2023
Caliterra Pétreo Carménère 2023

From £16.00

An intense, aromatic and vibrant example of Chile's signature grape variety...Read More...
Cecilia Beretta FREEDA Rosé 2022
Cecilia Beretta FREEDA Rosé 2022

From £15.50

Elegant, fruity aromas and crisp finish FREEDA is perfect for long, lazy afternoons...Read More...
Undurraga Altazor 2020
Undurraga Altazor 2020

From £55.00

A wine that perfectly expresses the character and finesse of Cabernet Sauvignon...Read More...
Morandé Pionero Carménère Reserva 2021
Morandé Pionero Carménère Reserva 2021

From £10.50

A great value expression of Chile's signature grape...Read More...
San Leonardo 2016
San Leonardo 2016

From £83.00

Villa Gresti di San Leonardo 2020
Terre di San Leonardo 2021
Terre di San Leonardo 2021

From £18.75

A Bordeaux blend that follows in the footsteps of its 'elder brother'...Read More...
Haras de Pirque Reserva de Propiedad 2018
Ca' del Bosco Corte del Lupo Rosso 2018
El Campesino Cabernet Carménère 2022
El Campesino Cabernet Carménère 2022

From £9.50

A juicy Cabernet - Carménère red wine blend packed full of smoky, black fruits...Read More...
Viña Pérez Cruz Carménère Limited Edition 2022
Viña Pérez Cruz Carménère Limited Edition 2022

From £20.00

An opulent & spectacularly perfumed wine with minted notes of blackcurrant & a hint of mocha...Read More...
Matetic Corralillo Carménère 2022
Matetic Corralillo Carménère 2022

From £19.00

Black fruits, chocolate & spices combine on a smooth and silky palate...Read More...