OVEJA NEGRA 2011 CHILE
The translation of Oveja Negra is Black Sheep, the connotation of which, at least in our culture, means a disreputable member of a group, as in the black sheep of a family, one who does not conform to the values of a particular family, a renegade. Therefore, understandably, my expectations in drinking this wine were that it would be bold and brash. But, the vineyard uses the term only to signify that this wine is distinctive, that it is different than the rest of the sheep in the flock, which are white. It is different in the sense that it is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Carmenere, two grapes which are not usually blended together, and which I enjoy separately on their own. The result is interesting, and enjoyable. It is a pleasant wine, with a low level - for a red wine - of alcohol: 10.5%. It would certainly be an excellent introduction to red wine; I find it hard to believe that it would offend any novice to red wine. In my mind I immediately paired it with pizza; it is a very pizza-friendly wine. It is aromatic and soft, light- to medium-bodied, with light tannins, exhibiting flavors of plum, black currants, berries, and a dash of black pepper, with a hint of spice, and a light touch of oak. At the low cost of $9.99, I would certainly recommend it.