Arboleda 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile

Sitting overlooking the harbour from my apartment in Monaco I uncorked this little gem. It initially caresses the palate with raspberries and chocolate and finally leaves a wonderful vanilla aroma in ones nostrils.

Second glass proves consistent with the first and now I am sensing a tantalising trace of oak and a whiff of charcoal.

Perfect compliment to lightly grilled roast pheasant on a warm summers evening.

This wine has many qualities, some obvious with others quite surprising. Like a mountain walk in the spring you are taken on a journey from the subtle juniper field, over the dancing streams of woodland herbs to the hard slogg of a thick berried swamp. It was a journey I very much enjoyed though I found the plateaux of swaying grass a little bit tedious. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience.