Respond to this Story

$9-$12

If tasters can get past the intense green bell pepper nose characteristic of many Chilean reds -- including this one -- the Aresti Reserve Merlot rewards with its great fruit depth and dark berry aromas with hints of anise and vanilla. A rich, silky wine with a smooth mouth feel, the wine shows a spicy oak character from 30 percent of the wine being aged in 2-3 year-old French oak. Ripe plum, blackberry and black currant flavors on the palate finish with a hint of black pepper and some alcohol-induced heat in this medium-bodied wine. Good with pork tenderloin, red beans with sausage, stuffed peppers and pizza. Available at Elio's Wine Warehouse, Vieux Carré Wine & Spirits and Acquistapace's Covington Super Market. -- Brenda Maitland

Questions? Email winediva1@earthlink.net.

Other Stories This Week in Cuisine:

Restaurant Review
Ba Mien

Food News

Recently in Wine of the Week:

Wine of the Week 07 16 02

Wine of the Week 07 09 02

Wine of the Week 07 02 02

Wine of the Week Archives