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South American Wines

An Introduction to the Wines of South America for Visitors to Peru

Wines from Chile: Introduction / Regions / Notable Producers / Reviews

Reviews

Wine Spectator Top Wines from Chile:

Classic Wines: 96 points / 95 points / 94 points

Outstanding Wines: 93 points / 92 points / 91 points / 90 points

Very Good Wines: 89 points

Wine Spectator online www.winespectator.com

Posted: Monday, February 04, 2008

James Molesworth

Tasting Highlights: Chile

Two classic-rated red blends lead the way in another strong vintage for Chile

Chile's 2005 vintage is a strong one, particularly for the reds. And in strong vintages, great wineries really pick up their game, as the classic releases from Viña Almaviva and Viña Montes here ably demonstrate. Both of their flagship bottlings rely on Cabernet Sauvignon, with Almaviva's showing the Maipo profile of loam and tar, while the Montes Alpha M shows the more mineral and currant side of the Colchagua Valley.

There's also more than just Cabernet here. Take particular note of Cono Sur's Ocio Pinot Noir bottling, only the second Chilean Pinot Noir to rate outstanding in Wine Spectator to date. Using better clonal material and employing better site selection for cool-climate varieties, Chile's winemakers are starting to turn out more than just excellent Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings.

VIÑA ALMAVIVA Puente Alto 2005 95 $75
This is dense but racy, thanks to plenty of fine-grained tannins that carry the shaved vanilla bean, black currant paste, fig and loam notes through a super long finish. Additional tobacco and cedar hints chime in on the finish. Really well built, this shows a Maipo profile with Bordeaux-like structure; needs cellaring to fill out fully. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2009 through 2016. 10,000 cases made. —J.M.

VIÑA MONTES Alpha M Santa Cruz 2005 95 $93
Very sleek and refined, but with loads in reserve, this shows layers of mocha, espresso, bittersweet coffee, mineral and currant paste all framed by dense but supersupple tannins. Beautifully rendered, and the best vintage yet for this winery's flagship wine. Best from 2009 through 2015. 4,500 cases made. —J.M.

VIÑA MONTES Folly Santa Cruz 2005 94 $93
Dense and layered, with lots of fig, black currant paste, mocha and black licorice flavors, all supported by muscular, but ripe and well-embedded structure. Long, dark finish has lots of power in reserve, but shows fine harmony already. The best-balanced vintage so far for this powerful Syrah. Drink now through 2013. 2,500 cases made. —J.M.

VIÑA CARMEN Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Nativa 2005 91 $17
Dark and structured, with loamy tannins carrying a delicious mix of mint, tobacco, currant paste and fig sauce flavors. Long and rich on the finish, with classic Maipo character. Drink now through 2012. 300 cases imported.—J.M.

CONCHA Y TORO Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Marqués de Casa Concha 2005 91 $19
Lush but structured, with layers of black currant, tobacco, loam and dark licorice pushed by ripe, solid structure. Long, dark finish. Always rock solid. Drink now through 2011. 71,000 cases made. 30,000 cases imported.—J.M.

VIÑA ERRÁZURIZ Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve Aconcagua Valley 2005 91 $50
Rock solid, with loam, black currant, fig and coffee notes that are pushed by muscular but ripe, fine-grained tannins. Long finish shows density of fruit and structure in a creamy texture, along with alluring hints of black tea. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink now through 2012. 500 cases made. —J.M.

VIÑA MONTES Purple Angel Colchagua Valley 2005 91 $57
Ripe and plush, with a dense but reserved core of plum and blackberry fruit that will need some cellaring to get past the mocha, coffee and loam notes. Long and dark on the finish, this is well put together. Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Now in its third vintage, and improving. Best from 2009 through 2011. 1500 cases made. —J.M.

CONCHA Y TORO Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Terrunyo El Triángulo Vineyard 2007 90 $29
Lean and bracing at first, with flint and lime notes, this slowly opens to show more gooseberry, chive flower and sea salt flavors that ripple through the lengthy, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2009. 8800 cases made. 1,100 cases imported.—J.M.

VIÑA CONO SUR Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Ocio 2006 90 $50
Quite lush, with alluring spice, macerated black cherry, fig and incense notes that glide through a long, supple finish. Soft in structure, but shows impressive depth on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 175 cases made. 55 cases imported.—J.M.

VIÑA ERRÁZURIZ Shiraz Aconcagua Valley La Cumbre 2005 90 $50
Ripe and nicely framed by well-integrated vanilla and mocha notes, which allows the core of raspberry and boysenberry fruit to shine through on the finely grained finish. Drink now through 2010. 200 cases imported.—J.M.

Wine Spectator online www.winespectator.com

Posted: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

James Molesworth

Tasting Highlights: Chile

Rich, well-structured reds are a hallmark of the rock-solid 2005 vintage

Here's a selection of new releases from Chile, which enjoyed a rock-solid vintage in 2005. The reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, are rich, well-structured and full of dark currant and loam flavors.

Wines like Concha y Toro's Marqués de Casa Concha Syrah and Viña Peñalolén's Cabernet Sauvignon (the second label of Viña Quebrada de Macul) offer terrific value. A few late-release reds from the powerful 2003 vintage are also worth checking out.

Whites continue to improve as well, with Sauvignon Blancs (such as Santa Rita's Leyda Valley bottling) that show crackling herb and mineral notes along with Chardonnays (such as Casa Lapostolle's) that show less emphasis on toasty oak, while highlighting bright, pure fruit flavors.

Wine Score Price
ANTIYAL Maipo Valley 2005 92 $55
Lovely aromas and flavors of blackberry, bramble, grilled meat and lilacs, with plenty of guts, ample structure and a solid, loamy finish. Shows both polished fruit and rugged terroir. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2011. 400 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA CARMEN Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Gold Reserve 2003 92 $68
Powerful, with currant and fig preserve augmented with bittersweet cocoa, loam, dark licorice and graphite notes. Long, rich finish is really layered. Impressive combination of modernity with Maipo terroir. Drink now through 2011. 50 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA ECHEVERRÍA Founder's Selection Maipo Valley 2003 91 $35
This goes for the gusto, with dark fig, chocolate ganache, espresso and bacony toast notes carried by burly structure. Beefy and loamy on the finish. Ambitious style, and pulls it off. Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2010. 100 cases imported. —J.M.

ANTIYAL Kuyen Maipo Valley 2005 90 $30
Dark and loamy, with fig and currant paste layered with hints of bittersweet cocoa, grilled beef and charcoal. Slightly brawny finish, but hearty fare can tame that. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. Drink now through 2009. 400 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA CARMEN Wine Maker's Reserve Maipo Valley 2002 90 $42
Maturing, but still plenty solid, with broad currant, blackberry, coffee, cedar and shaved vanilla bean notes. Shows a cool vintage character with a minty note, but has plenty of richness and depth on the fine-grained finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Grande Vidure (Carmenère), Petite Sirah and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. 150 cases imported. —J.M.

CASA LAPOSTOLLE Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Cuvée Alexandre Atalayas Vineyard 2006 90 $24
Nicely focused, with a racy core of fig, hazelnut and pear notes that stays pure and elegant, thanks to the toasty edge that stays in the background. The finish is long and juicy. Very stylish. Drink now through 2008. 8,000 cases imported. —J.M.

CONCHA Y TORO Syrah Peumo Marqués de Casa Concha 2005 90 $18
Dark and plush, with espresso, fig paste and plum sauce notes pushed by mocha and dark licorice on the finish. Rich, smoky finish showed fine-grained tannins and the density for moderate cellaring. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA PEÑALOLÉN Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2005 90 $18
Dark and fleshy, with layers of roasted coffee, bittersweet cocoa, loam and blackberry, all held together by a nice graphite edge on the finish. Rock-solid expression of Maipo Cab that shows the quality of the vintage. Drink now through 2009. 1,000 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA LA RESERVA DE CALIBORO Erasmo Maule Valley 2005 90 $27
Sleek and focused, with a solid core of red currant fruit surrounded by sweet spice, toast and mineral notes. Long, pure finish has the flesh to match its sinew. Best vintage yet for this Italian-owned project. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2010. 3,000 cases imported. —J.M.

VIÑA SANTA RITA Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Floresta 2006 90 $23
Vibrant and pure, with a superstony core that supports taut lemon verbena, gooseberry and grapefruit notes through the long, precise finish. Has nice mouthwatering acidity. Drink now. 2,600 cases made. —J.M.

South American Wines - An Independent Guide to the some of the Best Wines from Peru, Argentina & Chile.