Cono Sur Sparkling Brut

A lovely and refreshing sparkler from Chile. It’s just slightly off-dry, with a creamy and soft mousse. In terms of flavours, I get a vague note of honey along with flavours of green apples, peaches and melon.

Wines & Spirits: Good sparkling wine doesn´t cost a fortune / The Record / UK

2009 Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

Casablanca Valley

My first bottle was corked so the Wines of Chile folks kindly sent another. This big, 14.5 percent abv pinot has some “interesting” attributes. On the nose there is a bit of alcoholic heat coming through. Also present, aromas of vanilla, earth, and red fruit. Where this gets tasty is after you take a sip. Plenty of tannin (odd, no?) frames bright red fruit, dusty soil, black pepper, and baking spice. The finish is clean and taut, indicating that this is still a baby of a wine. Yes, it’s $32 a bottle but it has a lot of potential! Recommended.

Wines of Chile: Masterclass / Beau´s Barrel Room / USA

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2011

Vineyard workers get around by bicycle at Cono Sur, hence the name of this line of well-priced wines. The 2011 pinot is among the best – and one of the few drinkable – pinots you will find at this price. It’s light-medium-bodied and silky, with fresh cherry and plum jam flavours enhanced ever so subtly by baking spices. Pair it with pork, poultry or grilled salmon. $11.49 in B.C., $11.99 in Sask., $11.99 in Man., $12.99 in N.B., $12.99 in N.S., $13.99 in PEI.

The Globe and Mail / Canada

2011 Cono Sur Bicycle Pinot Noir

Central Valley, Chile

This week’s first wine is a dirty little cheap Pinot (meant in the best way possible) from Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery. I would pay $10 just to take in the aromas.

Robert Parker’s International Wine Cellar gave this wine 87 points describing the nose as displaying ‘musky herbs’ – what a spot-on description. Usually wines in this price range are ‘designed’ to please in every way possible. Not this wine. On the palate the wine is soft, medium-bodied and straightforward, displaying nice sour cherries on the midpalate with a hint of green bell pepper, olives and sweet black licorice. For an inexpensive wine it has remarkable structure and length.

This is one of those wines that I normally wouldn’t make a big deal about. Long-time readers know that I tend to gravitate towards smaller producers who source their grapes from specific regions and make their wines the traditional way. This wine is far from that as Cono Sur is one of the biggest wineries in Chile and largest producers Pinot Noir in the world. The grapes are sourced from the entire Central Valley, also known as the ‘wine factory’ of Chile. All that being said I am not one to shy away when I see a great $10 value – and that’s exactly what this is.

The Cellar: Chilean Finds for Only $ 10 / Go Local Prov / USA

2009 Cono Sur Pinot Noir Ocio

Casablanca, Chile

Pretty dense, but pretty nonetheless, all that dark fruit pushed up high on the palate by spicy wood and minerals; New World style pinot, for sure. $60

Bringing the Wine / Chicago Tribune / USA

Cono Sur Bicicleta Riesling 2011

Here’s a riesling that has a waxy and floral nose, with honey, peach, pineapple juice and matchstick aromas. The elegant palate is ripe, full and juicy, with noticeable sweetness. It is soft, with orange, honey, pineapple and lime flavours. It has good fruit intensity, soft acidity and is short and warm on the finish. Drink now.

Top 25 Killer Values / Wine Access Magazine / Canada