($15, North Lake Wine): Bordeaux’s Château Mouton Rothschild started a joint venture with one of Chile’s premier wineries, Concha y Toro, to produce what has turned out to be one of Chile’s greatest wines, Almaviva.  In addition, the owners of Château Mouton Rothschild produce other wines in Chile, such as this Escudo Rojo (which is a literal Spanish translation of Red Shield, the meaning of Rothschild). … Read more

($20, Billington Wines): Cousino-Macul is on everyone’s short list of Chile’s best wineries.  Finis Terrae, their flagship wine, is an exceptional value.  A blend of roughly 50-50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in their vineyards, the 2004 has the uncommon ability to harmonize the ripeness emblematic of the New World and the elegance and complexity prized in classical Old World wines. … Read more

($10, Icon Estates): This nicely proportioned wine delivers a winning combination of ripe black-fruit flavors and engaging earthiness robed with smooth, supple tannins.  It’s hard to beat it at this price. 89 Michael Apstein Dec 19, 2006… Read more

($10, Palm Bay): Don’t miss this bargain-priced wine.  The pungent nose identifies the wine as Sauvignon Blanc, but it has complexity that is rarely seen at this price.  Stony nuances and balanced flavors make you think you are drinking a far more expensive wine.… Read more

($19, Palm Bay): In this era of over-priced and over-wrought red wines, it’s a distinct pleasure to taste Santa Rita’s top of the line Cabernet Sauvignon, Medella Real. Ripe black fruit flavors coupled with nuances of mint, which identify this wine as coming from the Maipo Valley, are supported by fine tannins.… Read more

($12, Vineyard Brands): Until recently, the Carmenère grape was confused and harvested with Merlot in Chile. Like Merlot, Carmenère traces its origins to Bordeaux. Although it was once called “Chilean Merlot,” it ripens a week or two later than Merlot and when harvested with Merlot, it gives unripe, vegetal flavors.… Read more

($47, Excelsior): Concha y Toro, certainly one of Chile’s foremost wine producers, has modified the style of Don Melchor, their flagship Cabernet, ever so slightly over the years. The 2003 — just a touch riper and fleshier than past versions — retains the signature attractive earthy, herbal character of great Chilean Cabernet.… Read more

($70, TGIC Importers): Made entirely from Syrah grown on the upper slopes of Montes’Apalta Valley Vineyard, this is an unabashedly big and extracted wine with flavors that emerge over time in the glass. Oak notes are apparent, but not overwhelming, and the ripe supple tannins provide structure that keeps you coming back for more.… Read more

($30, Banfi Vintners): This is an impressive Carménère released in Concha y Toro’s Terrunyo line. New World ripeness and suppleness are apparent, but the inherently earthy character of Carménère still shows, which makes for a succulent, layered wine. 92 Michael Apstein Dec 6, 2005… Read more