This Escudo Rojo blend could use more time in cellar…
This Chilean red blend, a classy-looking offering bearing the heralded name of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, came across as bold, sharp, and a little aggressive, with green cedar notes and gritty tannins. And that was after having decanted it for a good hour.
We’d recommend cellaring it for at least another few years to give it time to mature and come into its own. On the positive side, we enjoyed the dark chocolate notes. Given the big, bold nature of this wine, food pairings with similar qualities are a must.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 78/100
Value: 3/5
The Bottle Details…
Name: Escudo Rojo
Vintage: 2013
Producer: Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Region/Country: Maipo Valley, Chile
Grape Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc
Alcohol content: 14%
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO
Cost: $15.25 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A clean, classy label with an elegant emblem.
The Tasting Details…
Appearance: Medium ruby red.
Nose: A pronounced nose of green sap and green cedar, followed by dark fruit (blackberries and plums), and a touch of fennel and spice.
Taste: A dry, medium bodied red blend, with medium acidity and medium-to-high gritty tannins. Again, green cedar made its presence known, a did earth, fennel, dark plums, and dark chocolate.
Finish: A medium finish with enduring cedar and earth notes.