What characteristics would you expect from a fully ripe Carmenère wine?

Fully ripe Carmenère wines are known for their rich, dark fruit characteristics, with blackberry often being a predominant flavor due to the grape's ability to achieve high levels of ripeness in favorable climates. Along with this primary fruit note, fully ripe examples commonly exhibit hints of leather, which can add complexity and depth to the wine. This combination of vibrant fruit and secondary aromas from the aging process, such as leather, aligns well with the profile of fully ripe Carmenère, leading to a balanced and nuanced wine experience.

In contrast, the other options present various elements that can sometimes be associated with under-ripe or less mature Carmenère expressions. For instance, green bell pepper and tomato leaf are typical of less ripe Bordeaux varieties, including Carmenère, where the grapes have not fully ripened. Blackberry and tomato leaf may suggest a transitional stage of ripeness rather than full maturity. Likewise, while dried fruits may occur due to extended aging or specific winemaking techniques, they are not characteristic of the ripe fruit profile expected from a fully mature Carmenère.