($158):   Errazuriz thinks outside of the box.  While much of the Chilean industry was focusing on basic $10 Cabernet and Merlot, Errazuriz, led by Eduardo Chadwick, was heading in a different direction.  Make no mistake, Errazuriz does make excellent basic Cabernet and Merlot.  But in addition, they essentially introduced Syrah to Chile.  And arguably, with Kai, they are making Chile’s best Carménère.  This gorgeous wine, a blend of mostly (88%) Carménère with the remainder Syrah and Petit Verdot, has incredible complexity.  The exotic herbal not-just-fruit element of Carménère is apparent.  The Syrah and Petit Verdot had a touch of extra oomph without going over the top.  The polished texture and lush tannins are the product of the Errazuriz winemaking team.  If you want to see the heights of Chilean Carménère, here it is.
95 Michael Apstein May 1, 2012