Good Morning Gentle Readers,
Robin Garr (30-Second Wine Advisor) has a point about Chilean wine.......
I tend to be a bit more wary of wines from Chile, not because of any intrinsic flaw in the region's wines but because, frankly, too many of its producers in recent years have chosen to export modest, one-dimensional wines that compete against American big-brand varietal wines at the lower end of the marketplace, offering low prices but not great value.
With that disclaimer in mind consider the VEO Grande Cabernet Sauvignon, an inexpensive Chilean wine though far from memorable offers a decent glass at a decent price ($6.00-$10.00 US). VEO is likely the Mondavi of Chile and is the largest private grower when measured by sheer vineyard acreage.
This cab is astringent with a fair amount of barnyard so give it some air (let it breath). Although the winemaker promises an opulent wine with loads of berries I didn't find opulence or berries. The wine has an odd although not unpleasant feel to it and tends more toward flat and gray than opulent. But that's okay, it didn't cost what opulent costs. The wine is different than many inexpensive Chilean cabs and I guess that works for me, especially since TWC is repulsed by that cloying (stop me if I've overused that word lately) sickly sweet taste that characterizes many cheap cabs and merlots.
Verdict: It's not a sleeper but it's a good budget wine that you can enjoy with a Southern Italian meal or grilled beef.
As Always,
The Wine Commonsewer
what kind of wine is that?
Posted by: katie | January 02, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Where I can buy The Wine Veo Grande? I live in Orange County, Ca.
Posted by: Yadira Lopez | January 15, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Yadira, Pretty sure I picked up that Veo Cabernet at Sams Club. If you're not a member it could be available at Cost Plus World Market or Trader Joe's. No promises though.
Posted by: TWC | January 19, 2007 at 04:39 AM
This wine is $6.57 at Sam's club.
Posted by: (PB) | February 20, 2007 at 01:46 PM
I have a liquor store in Rifle, Colo on the Western Slope and have had a request for Veo Cab. Are the any distributors in this area for Veo?
Posted by: Julie Wernsman | November 13, 2007 at 10:39 PM
i'm fanatic for chilean wine , i born in chile, but now a live long time ago in usa, i want any information about the chilean wine for will buy thak you
Posted by: ingeborg saavedra | November 17, 2007 at 03:41 PM
You can but it at SAM`s.It is around 6 dollars.I bought a case today there.It could do for some age but it good now for a decent glass.If and when you un-cork it-leave the cork off for up to 24 hours.Hope this helps,Raimey
Posted by: raimey wright | January 19, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I guess have to disagree about this wine. I found it extremely boring. There's nothing going on flavor wise. Maybe it's my fault since I read your good comments before I drank it, but all I taste is what you'd expect when you buy a $6 cabernet - not much.
Posted by: Joe Schmoe | February 09, 2008 at 02:18 PM
I would like to purchase a bottle of this wine. I live on Hilton Head Island SC. Can you tell me where it is sold. Thanks
Posted by: Sue O | April 04, 2008 at 08:05 PM