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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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Superb aromas of black currants, rose petal and mint. Lavender and stones too. Full body with incredible fruit density. Complex, yet it's agile and bright. Tannins are perfectly polished. It builds on the palate and shows the structure of a first growth Bordeaux but remains so Chilean. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere, 12% Malbec, 10% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. This is a joy to taste now but it will show itself in 2019. Even better than the amazing 2012.

Canto Sur is a whole bunch-fermented assemblage of Carmenère, 30% Carignan and 25% País from Bouchon's vineyards in Mingre. Entirely unwooded, it marries aromas of rose petal and wild thyme with a sappy, refreshing, red-fruited palate complemented by textured tannins and a mineral core.

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)

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.

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 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.

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)

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.

Winemaker Francisco Baettig first tasted this wine in 2004, but it wasn't until 2015 that a new style (consistent with Baettig's evolving approach to winemaking) began to emerge. It was a slow process to recover the original style of this wine (a brand dating back to 1930), a style much more focused on fruit and freshness, achieved by reducing the use of new barrels and bringing forward the harvest. And in a perfect year like 2018, that work crystallized in this new Don Max, made with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon from Errázuriz's estate in Aconcagua, planted in 1978. This Cabernet, rich in balsamic notes, is transformed here into aromas of mint and herbs, as well as juicy and refreshing red fruits. A very low alcohol content (13.5%) lends it a certain lightness and a medium body. But make no mistake, this is a wine for aging, with enough acidity and tannins to evolve elegantly over the next decade.

Sweet spices, preserved cherries and hints of white pepper and grilled herbs. Fresh, medium-bodied palate with slightly chewy tannins. From organically grown grapes with Ecocert certification. (ZS)

Another brilliant and unquestionably world-class wine from this estate, the 2023 Clos Apalte checks in as 66% Carmenere, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Merlot that was aged 24 months in 80% new French oak. Darker berries, leafy tobacco, red peppercorns, and graphite, as well as a beautiful floral character, all emerge from the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's pure, balanced, and elegant, with fine tannins, remarkable purity, and a great finish. I love it today, yet it will drink well for two decades.

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!

The 2020 Bagual Vineyard Cariñena Garnacha Monastrell comes from plants that have been worked with regenerative farming with grower-partner the Solar family in transition now for three years, and it's the first vineyard in Chile (three in Bagual) to receive Ecological Outcome Verification™ (EOV™) from the Savory Institute. It has 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.25 and 6.75 grams of acidity. Despite the moderate alcohol, I found the imprint of rusticity from 2020, the earthiness and the ripeness sensation, but as I often saw in many wines, the palate showed better, so it could be a transitional moment for the nose. The wine is medium-bodied with fine-grained, granite tannins and with purity of flavors and a long finish. (LG)

Longaví Winery was founded in 2016 by Chilean winemaker Julio Bouchon and South African winemaker David Nieuwoudt, who share a passion for crafting wines that express place with minimal intervention. Based in the Maule Valley, the project focuses on old, dry-farmed vineyards, many planted as bush vines several decades ago, which naturally yield concentrated yet balanced fruit. The founders were particularly drawn to Mediterranean varieties such as Carignan, Grenache, and Monastrell, seeing strong parallels between Maule’s climate and regions in southern Europe. Their philosophy centers on traditional farming and low-intervention winemaking, including native yeast fermentations and limited use of new oak. By prioritizing older vineyards and gentle cellar practices, they aim to highlight both the history and raw character of the region. The 2024 “Republica” is a blend composed of 80% Carignan, 15% Grenache, and 5% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), sourced from old, dry-farmed bush vines in the Maule Valley. It is fermented with native yeasts in cement tanks and then aged in neutral vessels, such as large, well-used barrels, a process designed to preserve the wine’s freshness while allowing the pure character of the fruit to shine.

Deep yet fresh blackcurrants, black olives, peppermint and some damson and bay leaf. This is a full-bodied red with a mouthful of sleek, velvety tannins that are chiseled into the fruit. Seamless, but not plush. On the other hand, this is juicy, firm and tight. Powerful and fine. Cabernet sauvignon, carignan, cabernet franc and petit verdot.

The aromas of blackberries, cedar, sandalwood and black tea are compelling. Black olives. Rosemary and sage undertones. Full-bodied, rich and powerful Seña with impressive and powerful tannins, yet harmony and balance. Fruit-forward. Lightly chewy. Fresh and energetic wine in a hot year. Broad-shouldered.

The 2023 Clos des Fous “Mr. Chile” is a blend of 68% Cinsault, 22% Pais and 10% Carignan, sourced from Chile’s Itata Valley, made by the winery Clos des Fous, a project founded in 2008–2009 by four partners (including terroir specialist Pedro Parra and winemaker François Massoc) with the goal of challenging the idea that Chilean wine is overly industrial and uniform. Instead, they focus on sourcing fruit from cooler, less conventional regions and making wines with minimal intervention and strong expression of place. The “Mr. Chile” bottling is part of that approach, typically blending traditional southern Chilean varieties like Cinsault and País and Carignan from old, dry-farmed vineyards in Itata . The Itata Valley itself is one of Chile’s oldest wine regions, located in the country’s cooler southern zone, increasingly valued today for its old vines, granite soils, and suitability for fresher, lower-intervention wines .

For this "Ungrafted" bottling, a small plot is selected—comprising just a few rows of vines planted in 1997 using a massale selection of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 17 months in large oak casks with a production run of 2,300 bottles, it exemplifies the estate's Cabernet style, defined by refined textures and fresh aromatics. This red wine offers deep red-fruit flavors with subtle herbal notes adding complexity, while the acidity is vibrant—characteristic of a classic style.

Bid on this 7-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2000 Elyse "Morisoli Vineyard" Napa Valley Zinfandel, 1-bottle of 2009 Pithy Little Wine Co. "Reserve" Paso Robles Sangiovese, 1-bottle of 2011 Rotie Cellars "Little g" Washington Grenache (93RP), 2-bottles of 2013 Casa Marin "Litoral" Pinot Noir Lo Abarca San Antonio Valley (91RP), 1-bottle of 2016 Azura Cellars West Elks Malbec, and 1-bottle of 2016 Triassic Legacy Vineyards Paso Robles Zinfandel. Of the 2011 Rotie Cellars "Little g" Washington Grenache, Wine Advocate writes: "More open-knit than the 2010, with a sexy, supple profile, the 2011 Grenache Little g had just been bottled at the time of this tasting. Made from 100% Grenache and possessing a light ruby, transparent color, it offers up lovely kirsch, rose petal, licorice and underbrush to go with a medium-bodied, voluptuous and sweetly fruited palate that has no hard edges, building richness and a seamless, elegant finish. (JD)" (06/2013)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2018 De Martino "Vigno Old Vines" Carignane Maule Valley (98RP). Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Vigno is somewhat more austere and powerful, with more tannin and depth than the 2017 I tasted next to it. It's very complete and has all the ingredients for a long development in bottle. It's a wine with power and balance, but it's a little backward; the 2017 is more expressive and open, more drinkable now. But this will be a long-distance runner and more complete. 6, 828 bottles were filled in October 2019. (LG)" (02/2020)

Despite the terrible forest fires in parts of the region, 2023 was a comparatively cool growing season in much of the Itata Valley. This cement and foudre-fermented and aged País avoids the variety's occasional rusticity, showing some subtle reduction, with rose petal and cinnamon aromas, plenty of zip and acidity and a core of redcurrant and wild strawberry.

Miguel A. Torres represents the fourth generation of the Torres family of Spain, continuing a winemaking tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Known for his innovative mindset, he helped modernize Spanish wine by introducing international grape varieties and improving winemaking techniques. He also expanded the family business internationally, establishing vineyards in Chile and California. One of his key projects in Chile is the Cordillera wine range. These wines are designed to express the unique character of different Chilean wine regions, with each bottle focusing on a specific grape variety and terroir. The Cordillera wines include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the coastal Limarí Valley, emphasizing elegance, varietal purity, and a strong sense of place.

Winemaker Marcelo Papa has decided to base this Amelia on 80% from Block 15, a little over three hectares of limestone-rich soils with portions of clay and some stones, all in the Quebrada Seca Vineyard in the Limarí Valley, about 22 kilometers as the crow flies from the sea. There is a firm texture here, that chalky sensation that is very typical of those limestone soils. It also has that salinity typical of Limarí on calcareous soils and lots of fresh, tart red fruits in a lovely wine, delicious to drink by the liter in the summer. It is also a serious, complex wine for the cellar, and that dichotomy is its best value.

Bid on this bottle of 2006 De Martino "Legado" Gran Reserva .

Ventisquero's Grey line is built around single-vineyard bottlings, with this Carménère drawn from the Trinidad Vineyard in Chile's Maipo Valley. The series is positioned above the winery's broader appellation wines and is intended to focus on specific vineyard sources rather than regional blends.

Inky purple. Intense black and blue fruit aromas are augmented by violet, vanilla and smoky herbs. Broad, palate-staining dark fruit compote flavors become brighter with air and show a smoky, spicy character. Finishes with sweet, juicy persistence and repeats the floral and vanilla notes. Very modern in style but undeniably sexy. (JR)

Ventisquero’s Grey range is built around specific vineyard sources. This Pinot Noir comes from Las Terrazas Vineyard in the Leyda Valley, one of Chile’s cool coastal zones, where Pacific influence plays a major role in the growing season.