Chono Carmenere

Chono Carmenere is a Carmenère-dominant red blend from Chile's Maipo and Colchagua valleys, bottled at 13.5–14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 Colchagua Valley release earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2010 vintage received 90 points from Robert Parker alongside a four-star Highly Recommended rating from Decanter magazine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5–14%  |  Origin: Maipo Valley & Colchagua Valley, Chile  |  Varietal: Carmenère-dominant blend  |  Producer: Sutil Family Wines (founded by Alvaro Espinoza, 2004)

Production & Heritage

Chono was established in 2004 by renowned Chilean winemaker Alvaro Espinoza, a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture in South America. Sutil Family Wines acquired the brand in 2009 and continues to produce the wine from estate vineyards across Maipo and Colchagua. The Carmenère grapes undergo a five-day cold maceration at 10°C before fermentation, followed by an extended 35-day post-fermentative maceration designed to build concentration and structural density. Aging takes place over 16 months in 300- and 500-liter French oak barrels — 25% new, with the remainder in second- and third-use cooperage — preserving fruit character while layering in restrained oak influence. The blend typically includes small proportions of complementary varieties such as Petite Sirah, Syrah, Petit Verdot, or Merlot, depending on vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and ripe blackberry lead, followed by layers of holiday spice cake, clove, and bay leaf. Underneath, there is damp earth and a thread of mocha with freshly roasted coffee.

Taste: The entry is soft and medium-bodied, with juicy blackberry and saucy plum flavors meeting herbal green notes at mid-palate. Cola and vanilla emerge as the oak influence takes hold, supported by balanced acidity that keeps the wine from feeling heavy.

Finish: Steady and lively, with lingering peppery spice, hints of bitter chocolate, and cinnamon warmth. Tannins are smooth and well-integrated, tapering gradually.

How to Drink Chono Carmenere

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature (16–18°C) and benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening; a wide-bowled glass helps the spice and fruit aromas open up. It also works in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) plays off the wine's existing cola notes; a Red Wine Sangria loaded with dark stone fruits and cinnamon sticks amplifies its core flavors; and a classic Mulled Wine in cooler weather pairs naturally with the clove, bay leaf, and peppery spice already present in the glass.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled or braised red meats
• Introducing friends to Chilean Carmenère as a varietal
• Building a South American wine collection on a reasonable budget
• Casual gatherings where a crowd-friendly, fruit-forward red is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chono Carmenere taste like? It delivers ripe blackberry and dark plum with herbal green notes, cola, and peppery spice, finished by smooth tannins and a touch of bitter chocolate from 16 months in French oak.

How does Chono Carmenere compare to Casillero del Diablo Carmenère? Both are Chilean Carmenère wines in a similar everyday price tier, but Chono sees significantly longer oak aging (16 months versus the shorter regimen typical of Casillero del Diablo), which gives it more structural complexity and spice layering. Chono also carries verified 90-point scores from both Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker on specific vintages.

Is Chono Carmenere good for sipping on its own? Yes — its soft tannins, balanced acidity, and generous fruit make it an approachable pour without food, especially after brief aeration at cellar temperature.

Where is Chono Carmenere made? Chono Carmenere is produced by Sutil Family Wines in Chile, drawing fruit from vineyards in the Maipo Valley and Colchagua Valley, two of the country's most respected red-wine growing regions.

What foods pair well with Chono Carmenere? Grilled flank steak or skirt steak echoes the wine's smoky depth; slow-braised short ribs match its soft tannins; empanadas de pino complement the herbal and spice notes; aged Gouda bridges the mocha and vanilla oak tones; and roasted red pepper dishes highlight its fruit-forward, peppery character.

What sizes does Chono Carmenere come in? Chono Carmenere is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Chono Carmenere worth the price? Positioned in the entry-level-to-mid-range tier for Chilean reds, Chono Carmenere delivers oak-aged complexity and verified critical scores that outperform many wines at its price point, making it strong value within the Carmenère category.

Why Chono Carmenere?

Carmenère is Chile's signature red grape — a variety nearly lost in Bordeaux to phylloxera and rediscovered in Chilean vineyards in 1994. Chono's extended cold and post-fermentative maceration protocol, totaling 40 days of skin contact, extracts a depth of color and flavor rarely seen at this price level. The 16-month French oak program in larger-format barrels adds spice and structure without overwhelming the grape's distinctive herbal and dark-fruit personality. With 90-point recognition from both Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker, this bottling demonstrates that serious Carmenère does not require a premium price tag.