Category Archives: Chile

Ventisquero, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Carménère Apalta Vineyard “Obliqua” 2017

($71, Austral Wines):  Made entirely from Carménère, arguably Chile’s signature grape, grown in the famed Apalta sub-region, this juicy bottling displays a wonderful combination of red and dark fruit with spice and other non-fruit, savory notes.  Like the Vertice, the tannins are present, yet supple and not intrusive, so this hearty red is ready for mid-winter fare. Read more

Viña Don Melchor, Puente Alto (Maipo Valley, Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

($151):  Before Seña, Almaviva, Clos Apalta, or Viñedo Chadwick appeared on the scene, there was Don Melchor, standing head and shoulders above every other Chilean wine.  Formerly, Don Melchor was the flagship of the Concha y Toro winery.  Since 2019, it has become its own entity and winery within Concha y Toro, hence the subtle change in producer to Viña Don Melchor. Read more

Concha y Toro, Valle del Maipo (Central Valley, Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon “Marquis de Casa Concha” 2019

($21, Eagle Peak Estates):  Despite a similar ripe dark fruit quality and the same 14.5 percent stated alcohol as the Carménère in this line, Concha y Toro’s Marquis de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon has a very different flavor profile.  This bold Cabernet displays a lovely hint of olives, mint, and other savory notes that balance and enhance its dark berry flavors. Read more

Concha y Toro, Valle del Limar (Chile) Pinot Noir Quebrada Seca Vineyard Marques de Casa Concha 2019

($25):  Valle del Limari, in the north of Chile, is hot and dry, not exactly the conditions that Pinot Noir loves.  But Concha y Toro’s shines, in part, because of the vineyard’s location on the banks near the Limari River, which cuts through the coastal range of mountains and allows cooling Pacific Ocean air to bath the grapes. Read more

Miguel Torres, Maipo Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon “Cordillera de los Andes” Reserva Especial 2017

($22, Miguel Torres USA):  Miguel Torres has vineyards throughout Chile to match grapes with areas particularly well suited to them.  The grapes for this one come from the Maipo Valley, an area renown for top Cabernet Sauvignon.   Very aromatic, this Cabernet has good weight and delivers a mix of dark black fruit interspersed with spicy savory notes. Read more

Viña Carmen, Colchagua Valley (Rapel Valley, Chile) Carmenere Gran Reserva 2011

($15, Trinchero): Is it just a coincidence that a producer named Carmen should excel with Carmenere, which is arguably Chile’s national grape?  Coincidence or not, they’ve excelled with this 2011.  The Apalta area, one of the most famous ones in the Colchagua Valley, supplied the raw materials and the winemaking team at Viña Carmen turned them into excellent wine. Read more

Concha y Toro, Puente Alto (Maipo Valley, Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon “Marques de Casa Concha” 2012

($22, Excelsior Wine and Spirits): Cabernet is king in the Maipo Valley and especially Puente Alto region, which explains why some of Chile’s finest Cabernet-based wines carry this appellation. For example, Don Melchor, the iconic — and expensive ($100+) — wine from Concha y Toro, one of the country’s leading producers, hails from Puente Alto. Read more

Errazuriz, Aconcagua Costa (Chile) Chardonnay “Wild Ferment 2011

($20, Vintus): Aconcagua Costa is a subregion of Aconcagua, Chile’s most northern most premium wine growing area.  Closer to the Pacific Ocean, it is a cooler area, perfect for Chardonnay, a grape than expresses itself best in cooler climate.  Errazuriz has taken advantage of the location to making a stunning $20 Chardonnay (if it carried a Napa Valley appellation it would be at least twice as much.) Read more

Cono Sur, Maipo Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon Pirque Viejo Estate “20 Barrels” 2010

($24, Vineyard Brands): Cono Sur has done it again with their top-of-the-line, “20 Barrels” bottling.  Their 20 Barrels Pinot Noir (previously reviewed) was excellent.  This Cabernet Sauvignon shows they’ve mastered more than just one variety.  Not a massive wine, it’s pure Cabernet delight with a seamless interplay of fruit, herbs and savory notes. … Read more

Cono Sur, Casablanca Valley (Chile) Pinot Noir El Triángulo Estate “20 Barrels” 2011

($25, Vineyard Brands): Cono Sur’s “20 Barrels” bottling represents their best lots — a reserve bottling, essentially.  This Pinot Noir is bigger and more concentrated than their superb value regular bottling without going over to the dark side.  They’ve managed a seamless combination of fruit and savory notes enrobed in glossy tannins. … Read more

Montes, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Apalta “Alpha M” 2010

($80, T.G.I.C. Importers): With their “M” bottling, which they don’t produce every year, Montes has consistently demonstrated the heights that Chilean red Bordeaux blends can achieve.  Indeed, the M could stand for “marvelous” or “magnificent.”  It explodes on the palate delivering dense ripe and savory components that play off beautifully against one another. … Read more

Cono Sur, San Antonio Valley (Chile) Chardonnay 2012

($12, Vineyard Brands): Chile’s geography–a long narrow strip of country protected by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Andes on the other–explains why it’s a leader in organic agriculture, including grapes and wine.  Cono Sur trumpets that this wine was made from organically grown grapes in four places, twice on the capsule and twice more on the label, just in case you might not get it. … Read more