Carménère is a red grape originally from Bordeaux but now most famously grown in Chile, where it has become a signature varietal. Once thought to be Merlot, it was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s and is prized for its deep color, soft tannins, and flavors of blackberry, plum, green pepper, and spice. Carménère thrives in Chile’s warm, dry climate—particularly in the Central Valley—and offers a distinctive, savory profile that balances ripe fruit with herbal complexity. When well-made, it produces smooth, approachable wines with moderate acidity and a unique identity.