A semi-pale dark ruby that looks delicious!
Smell
Early: Full of dark cherries, and an indistinct punchy aroma of plums with some alcohol heat
Later: Subtly decaying bramble fruits and forest undergrowth, with some plums
Palate
Dry, medium acidity and very little tannin (not surprising for a Pinot) and not too alcoholic. The mouthfeel is light and other than some upfront fruit flavours of sour cherry and plums, you should find some dried undergrowth on the back palate.
Tale
Being a New World winery, it's no surprise Cono Sur are focusing on innovation and technology to produce fantastic wines at very convenient prices. Cono Sur, or "Southern Cone" in English, refers to the region of South America, in particular in the west where Chilean valleys provide ideal geography for viticulture.
Founded in 1993, Cono Sur exported more than 30,000 cases from the inaugural vintage, launching the brand onto the market. By 1999 the Pinot Noir project was underway, with integrated vineyard management in place, which encourages insects and animals live amongst the vines as a natural defence from pests. In 2008 the winery capacity reached 3,900,000L, with a new Pinot facility capable of ageing 130,000L of a total 396,000L Pinot at the facility. With current capacity at 12ML, Cono Sur remains one of the most prolific Chilean producers, both in terms of volume and value.
The greatest criticism is that for a wine of this colour and mouthfeel, the flavours are much fuller and representative of a light Merlot, compared to what's expected of a Pinot. Similar to a sledgehammer that looks & handles like a ball-peen hammer, this wine packs much more of a punch that what you'd expect. This is amazing straight from the bottle, but once it's open, do not hesitate in drinking it, as it'll only go downhill.
Price: $10
Quality: ☆☆☆
Value: ☆☆☆☆
http://www.conosur.com/wines/bicicleta-pinot-noir/
https://www.vintagecellars.com.au/Red%20Wine/cono-sur-pinot-noir-750ml_6094186
