Santa Rita 2002 Merlot Chile

Well, it appears this wine was reviewed a trifle late. According to their website “Memorable Every Time” and so it is in this case. Not a bad one, but it would have helped I think to have got to this a year or so earlier, hence the lower grade.

It’s a clear, bright ruby to violet wine with not much of a wine structure to go along with it. It’s has some blackberry, and maybe some bacon under notes, not a good sign. The berry notes come across on your palette. It has some moderate acidity and an off note I can’t quite identify. There’s a reasonably nice balance and a medium finish, but I definitely think it’s past it’s prime.

Legless, but not Legaless. My friendly elf would be much disappointed. The acrid odor to the nose could be acceptable if the first quaff didn’t make you cough up a lung. It’s bitter; it’s tart, but neither in a good way. If this is the tavern’s house wine, expect the stew to contain horse and rat. In a word: Swill. In two words: Bad Swill.

– Silenus

Grade: C Price: $6.99

Wine Reviewed:
Santa Rita
2002
Merlot
D.O. Rapel Valley
Chile
www.santarita.com