Escudo Rojo Red – A Chilean Wine in the Classic Bordeaux Style

The Rothschild name is synonymous with banking and wine making. If you open a bottle with the Rothschild name on it, the wine will be sensational—and you can BANK on it! 

Das Rote Schild is German for "Red Shield," hence the family crest clearly evident on Baron De Rothschild Escudo Rojo Red (PLCB Code: 7266; $8.99), which is the Spanish translation for "Red Shield."

This Rothschild Chilean wine is made in the style of a classic Bordeaux. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55 percent), Cabernet Franc (10 percent), Carmeniere (25 percent) and Syrah (10 percent). The wine is aged 12 months (6 months in French oak barrels and 6 months in stainless tanks) and demonstrates the Rothschild art of “assemblage”—in other words, blending.

It is also a combination of the Chilean “terroir” (soil and climate) and the winemaking skills of Patrick Leon, who is responsible for the firm’s flagship French wine, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and their flagship California wine, Opus One.

The grapes come from the Maipo and Rapel Valleys. Maipo is in the Central Valley with the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific to the west. Rapel is just south of Maipo, where Cabernet Sauvignon excels. The bouquet is full of ripe fruit—cassis, raspberries, dry apricot—spice and tobacco. The taste has hints of coffee, cassis and vanilla. 

Cheers!

Look for the Baron De Rothschild Escudo Rojo Red and other great wines at the following Wine & Spirits shops:

, 2014 Old Arch Road, 610-270-1136.

, 2927 W. Germantown Pike, 610-270-1424.

, 504 W. Marshall St., 610-270-1746.