88 2007 Cono Sur Vision Pinot Noir 8/16/08 ($13)
13.5% alc (Colchagua Valley)
Color: Medium black cherry. (3.0) Bouquet: Bright red raspberry and tart cherry with some herbal Chilean soil, but balanced and attractive. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight with very good fruit and excellent acidity. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, gives sweeter fruit here with tangy acidity and spice. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but could be longer and soil lingers. (2.5)
Overall: Very good Pinot Noir. Has bright, tangy fruit with excellent acidity. That herbal, oily taste from the earth, which all Chilean reds seem to have, is present here, but in forgivingly small amounts. This has more intensity and pure P.N. character than the less expensive version of this (without "Vision" in the name). Excellent value, particularly at this point in time, where the "Sideways phenomena" combined with a weak dollar has driven P.N. prices through the roof. (14.0)