EL Chivo Merlot 75cl. 2021
Pour this when you want a red that just gets on with it. El Chivo is all soft plum and red cherry, silky enough to sip on its own while the nyama choma sorts itself out, but with enough body to hold its own against the meat. No swirling-and-frowning required. It slips down easy, the kind of bottle you open on a Tuesday and somehow finish by Wednesday. And when you fancy a top-up at 11pm, that's what we're here for.
First sniff is ripe red fruit, raspberry and cherry, with a faint whisper of vanilla and warm spice behind it. On the palate it's juicy and rounded: plum, blackcurrant and red cherry, soft and a little jammy. The tannins (that's the grippy, drying feel a red leaves on your gums) are gentle and silky here, so nothing scratchy. There's just a flick of acidity to keep it lively, then it slides off clean. Dry, but the fruit is so generous it almost reads sweet.
The details
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Where it's from
El Chivo comes out of Chile's Valle Central, the long sun-soaked valley running between the Andes and the coast that does most of the country's heavy lifting for wine. The Merlot vines sit in the Andean foothills, where warm days and cool mountain nights ripen the fruit nicely. The grapes are picked just ripe, fermented for around ten days at a controlled temperature, then rested in stainless steel rather than oak barrels. That's the trick behind why this tastes so clean and fruit-forward: steel keeps the bright plum and berry front and centre instead of layering on woody, toasty notes. Honest, fruity Chilean Merlot that punches above its price.
Good to know
- What is the price of EL Chivo Merlot 75cl. 2021?
EL Chivo Merlot 75cl. 2021 is KSh 1,435 at Oaks & Corks. Order online for delivery in 30 minutes for most areas in Nairobi, or next day countrywide.
- What does El Chivo Merlot 75cl taste like?
Smooth and juicy. Think plum, blackcurrant and red cherry with a hint of vanilla and spice, soft silky tannins and just a touch of acidity. It's dry, but the fruit is so ripe it feels almost generous.
- What is the ABV of El Chivo Merlot?
13% ABV, which is comfortably mid-range for a red. Easy company over dinner without knocking you sideways.
- Is El Chivo Merlot sweet or dry?
It's a dry red. There's loads of ripe fruit so it can taste fruity, but there's no real sugar to it.
- How should I serve El Chivo Merlot?
Slightly cool, around 16 to 18C. Pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes before pouring so the fruit stays fresh, then serve in any wine glass. No decanting needed.
- What food pairs with El Chivo Merlot?
Grilled and roasted meats are the sweet spot. Nyama choma, lamb chops, mbuzi, a beef stew, or mature cheeses. It's also a friendly match for pizza and burgers.
- Where is El Chivo Merlot from?
Chile, specifically the Valle Central, with the Merlot grown in the foothills of the Andes. It's matured in stainless steel, which keeps it bright and fruit-forward.
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EL Chivo Merlot 75cl. 2021 price in Kenya
Buy EL Chivo Merlot 75cl. 2021 online in Nairobi, Kenya for KSh 1,435. Order now for fast delivery across Nairobi — usually within 30 minutes — or next-day delivery countrywide.
