not the day i planned

My plan yesterday was to arrive home and cook a fabulous meal and enjoy a lovely bottle of wine, life is not always what you plan. I arrived home an hour and a half late and tired, dinner turned from sublime to simple, as did the wine.

The dinner turned into grilled ribeye with simple seasoning (S&P) accompanied by mashed parmesan potatoes and a creamy carrot, lettuce and pomegranate salad. Dessert was sliced fruit, cheese and a movie in the DVD. The wine went from a new acquisition on the wine rack to a magnum of Merlot we picked up to try as a vin de maison - Cono Sur's Origen Merlot 2004 (Central Valley, Chile).

Ever wondered where Central Valley is? Central Valley is the big growing region in Chile, it encompasses all the smaller areas (Aconcagua, Maipo, Rapel, Curico, Maule, Casablanca Valleys, to name a few). More on Chile's appellations and their laws in another blog.

The Merlot was simple and predictable. Soft plums, hints of blueberry, sharp spice though not pepper, more clove and nutty-walnut. The finish had an interesting touch and it took a while for us to name it - dried dill. There was something else there, I think a little of Cab. Sauv. may have been there to add depth in colour and aroma. All round a pleasant, easy drink, definitely a crowd pleaser, a house wine. We have over half the bottle left, I will post how it changed after being open for a day.

So to sum it up:
Cono Sur 'Origen' Merlot
Grape(s): bottle says Merlot however, I could not find this exact wine on the website to verify.
Vintage: 2004
Appellation: Central Valley, Chile
Closure: Trad. Cork
Format: Magnum a.k.a. the 1.5L
Price: $16 plus tax
Had with: Ribeye steak, a traditional meat & potaoes meal. Could also be good with fajita or stew. Was very good to sip on its own.
Recommend: Yes. This is an excellent wine to have sitting on the counter for lazy days, to drink or to cook with and to serve when friends and family show up.