Chile

A fresh and discreet Almaviva with subtle pencil shavings and cigar box to the cassis and hints of chili chocolate and peppermint. Nuanced and subtle on the nose. This is medium-bodied and subtle on the palate with silky tannins in the seamless finish. Very long. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but it will take its time to deliver complexity. (ZS)

Mineral, wild and seductive on the nose. Aromas of red fruits, dried leaves and tobacco Attractive palate, with chalky tannins. *Silver Medal - 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards*

The 2022 Cheval des Andes is a significant upgrade to Mendoza’s historic regional blends, combining grapes from Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo) and Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley). The 2022 vintage allowed for a slower ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon, which take prominence in this blend alongside 30% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Aging was carried out in 40% 225-liter Bordeaux barrels, 35% 400-liter barrels and 25% 2,500-liter foudres, with 50% new oak. A bouquet of bright fruit—raspberry, blueberry and delicate cassis—and complementary bay leaf and mint tones give way to a touch of ash and mild bell pepper. Boasting serious concentration, fine tannins and a slight creaminess, the 2022 has a structure that is firm but never tight, maintaining weight without losing balance. The finish is long, energetic and full of flavor. This is an exceptionally beautiful wine. (JH)

The 2022 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary includes 15% Malbec. This fermented with 40% whole bunches, harvested in stages across 1.5 months and aged for 15 months in concrete. Intensely complex, it opens with aromas of mountain herbs—huacatay and heterotheca—along with redcurrant, violet and red fruit. This is a dry, vibrant and fruit-driven expression. It offers chalk, airy concentration, juicy texture and a core of ash. This is weightless, stretching the flavor with crystalline definition. It is a site-driven Cabernet Franc that is shaped by its terroir and polished by the vintage. The 2022 is magic. (JH)

Extremely aromatic with red currants, blackcurrants, spices, iodine, paprika and subtle hints of white pepper. Fresh flowers, fresh sage, lavender and some pine needles and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with perfectly integrated tannins that go on for minutes with refined and harmonious fruit that integrates beautifully into the wine, giving it a weightless structure that shows class and verve. Endless balance and length. It’s so balanced that you could drink it now but it will age for decades. A blend of 75% carmenere, 18% cabernet sauvignon and 7% merlot. Best after 2028

It’s encouraging to see one of Chile’s best young winemakers eschewing oak altogether to produce a concrete fermented and aged Carmenère. Floral, detailed and ethereal, it has lovely poise and balance, granular tannins, a waft of coriander and basil and juicy bramble and red pepper flavours. Classy stuff.

Extremely aromatic, with very floral aromas of lavender, violets, peaches and citrus blossoms. It’s medium-bodied with firm and crunchy tannins. Structured and solid as a rock. Only 11% alcohol. Magic. Drink now. Why wait?

Sweet tobacco, cigar box, berries and minerals. It gets a little zesty and citrusy on the nose. Really refined and juicy on the palate with lot of fine tannins. Silky, fluid and linear with a very elegant, soft-spoken finish. 46% cabernet sauvignon from Adrianna vineyard and 44% malbec and 10% cabernet franc from Nicasia vineyard. Really refined, long and Bordelais. This is already drinking really well, but it will hold like this for a long time. (ZS)

Rafael Tirado experimented with fermenting this vintage “turbio’”, or cloudy in English, and it has produced his flintiest Sauvignon Blanc yet with intense mineral notes and an almost oyster shell brininess. Fascinating considering this comes 100 kilometres away from the sea, at the heights of the Andes mountains. Intellectual, saline and mouth-watering.

This is a blend of vineyards, including two-thirds from vines about 20 years old in the Los Lingues zone, towards the foothills of the Andes in Colchagua, and one-third from the Marchigüe zone, also in Colchagua, but further west. The combination of the herbal and fruity notes with the fierce tannins from Marchigüe's granitic soils gives rise to a wine that’s fruity and fluid, yet has enough body for charcuterie.

The saltiness in this chardonnay is so impressive, with aromas of sliced apples, honey, crushed stones and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, crunchy, vivid and flavorful, with hints of peaches and grape skin.

It's no exaggeration to describe this as one of the southern hemisphere's greatest Rieslings, as good as anything produced in Australia. Fermented in concrete and 30% amphoras, it's a complex, layered, earthy white with aromas of jasmine and chamomile, lots of extract and concentration, flavours of lime, mezcal and petrichor and an intense, tapering finish. World class.

The 2024 Malbec Appellation Lunlunta comes from Luján de Cuyo and was aged 11–13 months in French oak barrels (25–40% new, plus second- and third-use wood). Highly expressive, it opens with clear violet notes and fresh plum, framed by refined oak. It is dry, juicy and supple, with fine, flexible tannins and an enveloping flow. A classic Luján de Cuyo Malbec. (JH)

If you want to discover Torrontés and aren't sure where to start, this wine is an excellent introduction. Produced since 2005, it comes from the La Brava vineyard in Cafayate. Unoaked and elegant, it offers a delightful and delicate floral profile. It is no longer the Colomé of its early vintages, when strength and a certain rusticity dominated. Today, the style has refined considerably, delivering a subtle, fresh wine with juicy acidity that is ideal as an aperitif. It also offers one of the best price-to-quality ratios among white wines currently available in Argentina.

Overwhelming nose with a cornucopia of black, red and blue berries, perfectly accented by fine toasty oak. With aeration the floral notes expand. Super-concentrated and vibrant with incredible finesse on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Such great brilliance at the finish, where the power builds very steadily. Still so young, but already dangerously delicious. It will be really hard to wait. A cuvee of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 27% malbec, 17% carmenere and 6% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Astonishing purity and youthful freshness, the white-peach, Asian-pear and candied Amalfi-lemon aromas incredibly vivid. Super-focused, medium-bodied palate with staggering vitality and energy. This is very concentrated, but the refreshing acidity makes it feel so light on its feet. Then comes the diamond-bright minerality at the finish. Surely the best white wine from this producer to date!

This red comes from an old País vineyard (with a touch of Moscatel) in the Almahue area of the Cachapoal Valley. Aged for five months in barrels, it is a juicy expression of País, featuring red fruit flavors and subtle earthy undertones. It has a pleasant texture, built on firm, slightly rustic tannins—typical for the variety—and herbal notes. It is the kind of wine you want when there is chorizo on the table.

Produced from two of Sophenia’s three hectares of Cabernet Franc in Gualtallary, this Estate Reserva is aged for one year in barrels with 8% new oak. The wine features a juicy blend of the variety’s characteristic herbal notes alongside tart red and black fruits. Its texture is taut, defined by firm, sharp tannins. This selection pairs perfectly with pork tenderloin.

Perfumed, with subtle cherry, cranberry and strawberry aromas and a hint of peaches. Medium-bodied with brightness and freshness. Vivid, lively, crunchy and fresh. Always excellent and super drinkable. Drink or hold.

The 2023 Malbec Clásico Organic is made from grapes grown in Luján de Cuyo and was aged nine months in concrete. The nose reveals ripe fruit, plum and a hint of jam, lifted by a subtle balsamic herbal note. Dry and clingy, with solid extract, it offers depth of flavor alongside a loose, lightly grippy texture. This is a well-achieved 2023 Malbec, darker in profile than overtly fruity. (JH)

Elegant and perfumed nose with violets, spices, fresh blackberries, blueberries and touches of chiles, chocolate, cigar box and white pepper. Super juicy on the palate with compact, fine tannins and an extremely long finish. (ZS)

This is a very thoughtful Seña that shows unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, turning to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins that envelop your palate. Shows power and vibrancy at the end. Toned muscles. It’s a very intellectual wine that harkens back to the 2015.

I also tasted the very young 2022 Vino de Viñedo Los Compadres Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a majority of grapes from a vineyard they finally purchased in Coronel de Maule that has 60-year-old head-pruned, dry-farmed and ungrafted Cabernet Sauvignon, a rarity for the variety, because it was grafted onto 100-year-old País vines. It has 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.35, which is extremely low, and very high acidity, 7.12. They used 15% new oak, and part of the wine fermented in barrel. It has the structured tannins from Maule but with amazing tension, lots of fruit, some notes of tobacco and tea leaves, textbook blackcurrant and with balsamic and minty, subtle, juicy, very good complexity, harmony and elegance with grip, serious and a little à la Saint-Estéphe. (ML)

Terrific aromas of black fruit and blackcurrants with dried spices such as thyme, rosemary and oregano. Notes of dried figs, tomato leaves and blackberry leaves. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins that are polished and so attractive. Refined and caressing in the finish. Structured tannins at the end. Very drinkable and enjoyable now. Slightly low alcohol this year. Why wait?

The chardonnays from the volcanic soils of Traiguén, 700 kilometers south of Santiago, have left a significant mark on Descorchados since the 2003 edition, when we chose Sol de Sol (pioneer of the area’s chardonnays) as the best white of the year. And since then we have followed the trail of this wine as well as this region that continues to produce excellent examples of the variety. Put this one in the group. It comes from a selection of the 6.4 hectares of chardonnay, aged for 13 months in barrels (28% new oak). It has a creamy texture, but it also has acidic tension at the same time. The flavors are dense and deep, and there are notes of ripe fruit, nuts, and flowers. This is a long wine that lingers for a while on the palate with its spicy and fruity details.

Recently bottled and still slightly reserved on the nose, this cooler Traiguén vintage shows tension and linearity. Subtle floral aromatics sit alongside citrus peel and gentle baking spice from French oak. Pancho Baettig describes this as a very “Traiguén” profile this year: restrained and mineral.

Sliced green-topped strawberries with flowers, nettles, stems and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins that run the length of the wine, with underlying hibiscus and orange blossoms. Crunchy tannins with a stony texture. Excellent energy. Serious.

Warm bread, iodine, graphite, blackberries, cassis and some dark chocolate on the nose. Quite flavorful on the palate, with a medium to full body and masses of tight but small-grained tannins. Very long, tense finish with hints of walnuts and mussels at the end. Goes on and on. 66% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 7% syrah and 4% merlot. 20% new oak barrels this year as opposed to the usual 15%. The rest is third-use, with some repurposed, re-toasted barrels. A very good value from VIK. (ZS)

Bright and lifted, this Pinot Noir opens with aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and rose petal, accented by subtle smoky and mineral nose. The palate is fresh and energetic, vibrant red fruit, fine tannins, and a touch of earthy complexity. A gentle savory edge and underlying volcanic character add intrigue, leading to a clean, balanced finish. A distinctive, cool-climate Pinot Noir that overdelivers with freshness, character, and value.

The 2022 Malbec Catena Alta brings together historic vineyards from Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley to capture the best of both regions: Luján’s generous, supple tannins and Uco’s juicy, fresh fruit. Aged for up to 18 months in barrel, this wine is the essence of Mendoza Malbec. Intense aromas of fresh plum and delicate balsamic notes float over oak and a floral hint in the background. With indulgent depth and a juicy flow, the 2022 balances plush tannins with refined texture to produce a long and sapid palate with a touch of intensity and subtle concentration. This is a rich wine that raises the bar for Mendoza Malbec. (JH)

The 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon Año Cero has a sun-kissed aromatic profile. It opens with notes of currant, subtle oak, ash and a hint of wild herbs. Indulgent, with fine tannins and an enveloping flow, it finishes attractively with fruit on the back palate. This tastes like it is from a higher price tier. (JH)

A juicy, vibrant and fruity blend of malbec, bonarda and petit verdot. Aromas of red cherries, berries and touches of citrus and potpourri. Fresh and brambly, with a medium body and small-grained fruit tannins. (ZS)

A full-bodied and expressive malbec with 5% cabernet sauvignon. Minerals, black cherries and cool blue fruit. A touch of cocoa powder, but there is nothing plush. Concentrated but austere, with tons of juicy fruit and dusty tannins treading into a long, bright finish. Fermented in concrete and aged 24 months in foudres. Drink or hold. (ZS)

This cabernet sauvignon really shines, with subtle paprika, tobacco ash and vibrant red currants on the nose. Nuanced blackberries, blueberries, fine spices and a hint of cigar box. This fresh, lovely Sena comes from a warmer year than 2021 or 2022, with softer tannins. It’s super refined but driven, long and flavorful. More approachable and less structured and direct this year, with impeccable drinkability. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 19% malbec, 15% carmenere and 6% petit verdot. 18 months of aging, of which 90% is in French oak barrels, including 70% new and around 10% in foudres. Drinkable now, but it’s built for the next 20 years. (ZS)

Catena Alta Chardonnay was one of the first demonstrations of Chardonnay's true potential in the Uco Valley. Its initial vintages in the late 1990s displayed a clarity of fruit and freshness previously unknown in Argentina, showcasing the influence of the Andes. This new edition, sourced from the Adrianna and Domingo vineyards in the Uco Valley, offers a delicate yet incisive interpretation of the variety, featuring prominent herbal notes and ripe fruit undertones. The wine presents a smooth texture, a medium body, and crisp acidity.

Finca Sophenia is one of the pioneering estates of Gualtallary, a high-altitude subregion of the Uco Valley in Mendoza that has become one of Argentina's most celebrated terroirs. Founded in 1997 by Roberto Luka, the winery was among the first to recognize the potential of Gualtallary long before it became fashionable. The estate consists of approximately 130 hectares planted between 1997 and 1998 at around 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level at the foot of the Andes. The combination of cool mountain temperatures, large diurnal shifts, and rocky alluvial soils produces wines with vibrant acidity, freshness, and a distinctive mineral character. Rather than chasing richness, Sophenia has built its reputation on precision and elegance. The 2024 Inconsciente Sauvignon Blanc is made entirely from estate-grown fruit in Gualtallary. Hand-harvested grapes undergo 48 hours of cold skin maceration before fermenting on their skins, then spend six months aging in concrete eggs.

Familia Zuccardi’s Concreto takes its name from the concrete vessels used for fermentation and aging, without oak. This 2024 Mendoza Malbec comes from a family producer whose winegrowing history dates to 1963, when Alberto Zuccardi planted his first vineyard in Mendoza.

Fresh nose of cranberries, red cherries, crushed stones, orange peel, mushrooms and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with a creamy texture and very fine tannins. Vibrant and wild. From organically grown grapes.

Las Pizarras comes from a selection of lots chosen from the 4.5 hectares of pinot noir on slate soils among the nearly 60 hectares of the variety that Errázuriz has planted in Aconcagua Costa, about 12 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. There are three parcels, the most important of which faces south, a cooler orientation that projects that freshness on the grapes. With a year of aging in barrels, here there is a strong presence of sweet spices that come from the oak as well as a layer of juicy red fruits in a delicate texture rich in fine needle-like tannins. The finish is floral and herbal. A delight.

This is one of the pillars of the Altos Las Hormigas portfolio and has been produced since the late 1990s, when the winery bet everything on malbec. This version, as usual, is a blend based on Altamira's own vineyards (80%) and Gualtallary (20%), both in the Uco Valley. It is a precise photograph, in HD, of Andean malbec. Violets and ripe red fruits, a palate rich in those tannins of calcareous soils that feel like chalk, the light weight, but the firm and taut structure. Due to depth of flavors, due to Andean character, this is the best version of this wine that we at Descorchados have tried.

The vineyard where Manso de Velasco comes from is between Lontué and Molina, in the Curicó Valley. It was planted in 1902 and is probably the oldest cabernet sauvignon vineyard in Chile, or at least one of the oldest. Torres bought this vineyard in 1984 and a year later began vinifying the grapes for what is still its top wine. Despite the warm year, it’s fresh, with a layer of herb and spice aromas, but mainly ripe red fruit. The texture is marked by firm, sharp tannins and the fruit flavors are generous. An excellent Manso, one of the classics in the modern Chilean wine era, it was aged mainly in foudres (78%) and the rest in barrels, all for 28 months.

Founded in 2011 by brothers Gerardo, Matías, Gabriel and Juan Pablo Michelini together with Daniel Sammartino, SuperUco is a small, family-run winery in Los Chacayes in Mendoza’s Valle de Uco. The project was born from the Michelini brothers’ desire to create wines that express the character of their place with as little intervention as possible. Their vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically, with fruit sourced from some of the Uco Valley’s most distinguished sites, including Los Chacayes, Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira. In the cellar, they favor native-yeast fermentation and vessels such as concrete eggs and amphorae, with restrained use of oak, resulting in wines that emphasize purity, texture, freshness and terroir over heavy-handed winemaking. The winery itself—an octagonal building surrounded by circularly planted vines—beautifully reflects the Michelinis’ philosophy of working in harmony with nature.

Wow. This is really complex, with sliced apples, lemons, flint, stones and a hint of limes on the nose. It’s floral and aromatic with white flowers. Long, long finish. Complex and thoughtful.

A beautifully exotic nose, full of tangy peppercorns, wax, black cherries, dark cherries, incense and bacon. Flowers, too. Very concentrated and juicy but nothing hefty here. Tannins are really punchy and mealy. Mineral and delicious. Less new oak from 2020, with more foudre use instead. Already drinkable now, but will age beautifully. One of the best from this estate. (ZS)

Founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, Lapostolle represents a marriage of French winemaking tradition and the exceptional terroirs of Chile. Alexandra came from the family behind the famed Grand Marnier liqueur and brought generations of viticultural expertise to their New World venture. The winery is based in the Colchagua Valley, about two hours southwest of Santiago, with its most celebrated vineyards located in the renowned Apalta Valley. Protected by surrounding hills and influenced by Chile's Mediterranean climate, Apalta has become one of the country's premier regions for producing world-class red wines. The estate's oldest parcels contain ungrafted vines planted between 1910 and 1945, including some remarkable old Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Their flagship wine, Clos Apalta, first released in 1997, quickly became one of South America's most celebrated bottlings and helped establish Chile as a source of collectible fine wines.

This shows plums, bark and charcoal on the nose. The palate is precise, sharp, linear and super elegant, with velvety tannins and crunchy fruit. It’s long, refined and very stylish. Drink now. (JGA)

Such were the heat and early harvest in 2020, that the Garnacha that makes up the base of this wine with 20% Syrah was picked on February 2nd. Structured and well balanced, with red cherry, blackberry and rosemary flavours and fine-grained, detailed tannins.

This is the entry wine into the world of sauvignon blanc from Matetic, in El Rosario, on the slopes of the Coasta Mountains. This is a blend of sauvignon clones that offers an overview—a panoramic view of the sea, if you prefer—and its influence in an herbal and refreshing light white dominated by mouth-watering acidity.