Full Review

Frontera

Frontera
2019 After Dark Red Blend, Central Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Other Chilean Red

Date Tasted:
Country: Chile
Alcohol: 12%
86 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$6
Best Buy

Frontera
2019 After Dark Red Blend, Central Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Other Chilean Red

Date Tasted:
Country: Chile
Alcohol: 12%
Dark violet color. Fruity aromas and flavors of raspberry sauce on chocolate gelato, fertile earth, pickles, and pepper medley with a satiny, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a graceful, medium-length finish with soft tannins and moderate oak flavor. A fruity, earthy Chilean red with chocolate undertones.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: raspberry sauce on chocolate gelato, fertile earth, pickles, and pepper medley
Taste Flavor: raspberry sauce on chocolate gelato, fertile earth, pickles, and pepper medley
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A fruity, earthy Chilean red with chocolate undertones.

The Producer

Fetzer Vineyards

The Producer
12901 Old River Road
Hopland, CA 95449
USA
1 707-744-1250

Their Portfolio

89 1000 Stories 2017 Bourbon Barrel-Aged, Zinfandel, California 15.7% (USA) $19.00.
BR Bonterra 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.8% (USA) $16.00. - Bronze Medal
92 Bonterra 2017 Merlot, Mendocino County 14.1% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.3% (USA) $14.00.
88 Bonterra 2018 Rosé, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
88 Bonterra 2017 Equinox Red, California 14.5% (USA) $16.00.
89 Bonterra 2017 Zinfandel, Mendocino County 14.8% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra 2018 Blue Heron Vineyard Dry Muscat, Muscat, Mendocino County 13% (USA) $16.00.
87 Bonterra 2018 Young Red, Mendocino County 13.4% (USA) $16.00.
85 Bonterra NV Red Blend, California 14.5% (USA) $23.00.
86 Bonterra NV Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.2% (USA) $23.00.
91 Bonterra 2018 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
89 Bonterra 2019 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
88 Casillero del Diablo 2018 Reserva Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
89 Casillero del Diablo 2019 Reserva, Carmenere, Central Valley 13.5% (Chile) $12.00.
88 Cono Sur 2020 Bicicleta Reserva, Chardonnay, Chile 13% (Chile) $8.00.
86 Frontera 2019 After Dark Red Blend, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
85 Frontera 2019 After Dark, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley 12% (Chile) $6.00.
BR Frontera 2019 After Dark, Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley 12.5% (Chile) $6.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Trivento 2018 Amado Sur Red Blend, Malbec, Mendoza 14% (Argentina) $18.00.

Other Chilean Red

Wine Glass Zinfandel.jpg
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Chile is home to many notable red wines beside Carmenère. Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are planted in large numbers in many of the country's regions. Maipo Valley is the leading region for these wines, especially in terms of quality, which is often world-class. These grapes are also grown in Chile's warm Central Valley, which produces inexpensive wines of very good character.

Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Pinot Noir are also excellent Chilean reds. Syrah has adapted well to both cool (San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys) and warm regions (Colchagua Valley) in the country, while Pinot Noirs from Leyda and San Antonio Valleys near the Pacific Ocean display great complexity.