Recently, we filled our cellar with a new favourite all-rounder red wine. That means a red wine which is perfect if you have many guests, which pleases nearly every palate and yet has some sophistication and elegance. Not too much wood, not too acidic, not too harsh tannins, fruity and yet still dry. This describes perfectly the 2003 Escudo Rojo from Rothschild’s Chilean Estate in Maipo. Escudo Rojo is a cuvee of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère (the Chilean grape) and Syrah. It comes in a very heavy and elegant bottle with a colourful label and looks great on every table (I wonder if I have some kind of marketing gene)
It has a very dark colour with nice purple edges. Its nose dissipates blackcurrant, some raspberries, violets, laurel and juniper; it has a very sweet, jam-like touch. On the palate the wood is distinct but not too overwhelming. Here again very fruity, very raspberry-like. Nevertheless medium-astringent tannins structure the wine and make sure it stays somewhat virile. The final lasts relatively long with a nice dark chocolate tone.
I think Robert parker would give it a 89-90; I would too.
Oh and what else makes it the perfect party wine: Rothschild produces a million bottles of it a year- with these industrial proportions you practically never run out of it :=)

*Allzweckwaffe means: “All-purpose-weapon”