See this guide to all our autumn collections.
The nearly 160 wines below are grouped by colour and then in descending score order. See New guide to Chile – special offer for a way of learning much more about the background to these wines, made in a country where the improvement gradient is arguably steeper than anywhere else. Certainly Chile has been sprouting new (and cooler) regions at a faster rate than any other wine-producing country.
WHITE
White
A bit watery and sweetened up. Not much vinosity. Fast fade. (JR)
Drink:
2013
–
2014
White
RS 1.01 g/l, pH 3.07, acidity 6.98 g/l. Bright, full of passion fruit. Crunchy texture and pungent. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
Alcohol: 12%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.89 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 7.4 g/l. Rich, racy and transparent. Easy to like. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2014
–
2015
Price: £8 RRP
White
RS 1.2 g/l, pH 3.63, acidity 4.83 g/l. Old vines made in old terracotta amphora and some skin contact. Deep copper. Dry and apple skin and baked apples. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 5.8 g/l, pH 3.04, acidity 6.16 g/l. Very unusual. Grapey. A bit raw but historically interesting (old low bushvines on granite). (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.34 g/l, pH 3.37, acidity 5.9 g/l. Fresh and herbal on the nose, then sweet and rich – even opulent – on the palate. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £8.50 Wine Society
White
RS 1.44 g/l, pH 3.22, acidity 6.84%. Very fresh and fruity. Long and pungent. QGV (JR)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £8 RRP
White
RS 3.25 g/l, pH 3.34, acidity 5.86%. Sweet and correct. But it's lean on the palate and slightly chewy. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.3 g/l, pH 3.18, acidity 7.82%. Very tight and slightly smoky. Resiny. Tart. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.7%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
A bit simple and sweet. Solid. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2019
Price: £14 RRP
White
Organic. RS 2.09 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 6.4%. Sweet and spicy. Quite substantial but very satisfying. Finishes slightly suddenly after a great start. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 6.6%.
Peachy start and then very vegetal on the palate. A bit raw in terms of acid. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.31 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 6.4%. Lifted and interesting! Real concentration and race, but be warned, still quite chewy and muscular. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 6.2 g/l, pH 3.19, acidity 7.17%.
Sweet, fresh and chalky. Correct but not thrilling. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.9 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 6.4%. Light gold. Fresh and sweet. Slightly simple but ticks the boxes. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.9%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.84 g/l, pH 3.36, acidity 3.18%. Smells of salty dishwater! Then sweet. Very very ordinary. Wake-up call needed! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
100% Sauvignon Blanc from selected vineyards in the Casablanca and Leyda Valleys. The cooling maritime effect provides the ideal conditions for accentuating the potential of this variety, in fruit, acidity and structure. Bunches were destemmed, not crushed, and pressed immediately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, and the temperature was carefully controlled. After the alcoholic fermentation, there was no malolactic, though the wine was left on light fermentation lees, which were stirred once a week. Winemaker Brett Jackson. Suitable for vegetarians. TA 7.0g/l, pH 3.32, RS 1.0g/l.
Grassy, leafy and herbal. Dry as a bone. Takes itself very seriously, and is varietally correct. (RH)
Grassy, leafy and herbal. Dry as a bone. Takes itself very seriously, and is varietally correct. (RH)
Alcohol: 12%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £7.99 Waitrose
White
A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from selected plots in the Central Valley. Grapes were cool fermented in stainless steel tanks. Suitable for vegetarians.
Cold and wet and acidic, but pretty flavourless otherwise. (RH)
Cold and wet and acidic, but pretty flavourless otherwise. (RH)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £4.99 Waitrose
White
RS 1.8 g/l, pH 3.5, acidity 4%. Light smokiness. Jujube start, then chewy, and a hot end. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 3 g/l, pH 3.39, acidity 5.66%. Lifted fireworks on the nose. A bit broad and sweet – slightly flashy. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 3.64 g/l, pH 3.61, acidity 3.58%. Quite sweet and flattering but slightly heavy. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.01 g/l, pH 3.12, acidity 6.43%. Racy 'green' nose. Round at first and then chalky. Appetising, even if not the most complex. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.6%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 4 g/l, pH 3.1, acidity 5.19%. A bit butterscotchy on the nose. Then good acidity but not that much in the way of real guts in the middle. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.8 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 6.92%. Lots of punch and savour. Attractive grainy texture. Proper dry wine. Long. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
Smoky, mineral. A bit sweet and simple. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.6%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.6 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 6.51%. Smoky nose, with complexity and balance. Like a very rich Chablis. Silky. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 1.77 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 7.12%. Sweet and slightly simple. Chalky fruit followed by a sweet, slightly alcoholic finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 7%. Green and racy and juicy. Perhaps a bit too green and slightly simple, but it certainly is appetising. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £11.95 Wine Society
16.5
/20
White
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 6%. Full and racy and with real grip. Good balance. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.49 g/l, pH 3.24, acidity 6.38%. Very slightly sweet but fun. Slightly sophisticated and offers heaps of well-balanced pleasure. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.15, acidity 3.9%. Very pale. Light and lively. A light hand with the oak – sweetish Chablis? Satisfying and well balanced and shows potential. Real tension. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
Ed Flaherty presumably makes this in his sleep. Bone dry and fine for the money. Much less stereotypical than the average Marlborough and I'm sure the M-word was mentioned... (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £8.95 Corney & Barrow
White
Bit dull and ordinary. In a supermarket this would be no more than £5.99. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
Price: £7.25 Corney & Barrow
15.5 +
/20
White
50% Marsanne, 38% Roussanne, 12% Viognier. Not much nose but very good energy and raciness. Stony finish. A tad dry rather than juicy. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
White
Stony and fresh with some herbs, nettles and just a little bit of sweetness. Stony finish. Well balanced. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
White
RS 2 g/l, pH 3, acidity 5.5%. Very fancy packaging! Very sweet, slightly formulaic. Tastes like a 2005...! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.4 g/l, pH 3.44, acidity 3.2%. Round and sweet. Lots of flattery but not that much finesse; a tad sickly. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
A definite hint of asparagus on this, admittedly bone dry, wine. Should appeal to lovers of NZ Sauvignons. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £11.99 Majestic. Buy 2 each £9.59 from 17 Dec 2013 until 3 Feb 2014
White
RS 1.2 g/l, pH 3.29, acidity 3.84%. Round and comfortable and easy. Savoury end. Not hugely thrilling but definitely superior. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.13 g/l, pH 3.27, acidity 5.78%. Very tangy and tight. Sweet start and very chewy. Comes to a sudden end. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2010
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 1.86 g/l, pH 3.34, acidity 5.62%. Smoky nose. Hint of cappuccino. Exotic, as though there's some Muscat in there, but a nice overall impression. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 3.8 g/l, pH 3.08, acidity 7.5%. Slightly dull and clenched. Too tight and sweet. Pear drops. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2016
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 1.9 g/l, pH 3.13, acidity 6.47%. Mineral and something to get your teeth into. Great terroir effect. Subtle. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.9%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 8.63 g/l, pH 2.94, acidity 5.98%. Smoky/reduced nose. Really very sweet. I'd love to see a drier version. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
15.5
/20
White
RS 3.3 g/l, pH 3.1, acidity 5%. Slightly more muted nose than some. Lacks real punch. Young vines? (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.4 g/l, pH 3.12, acidity 5.9%. Melons and peaches on the nose. Firm, and only just ready. Very serious and vibrant. Lots of structure, green sherbet. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 1.21 g/l, pH 3.44, acidity 6.18%. Very pale. Pure nettley green with a dry finish. Sancerre-like. Very bright, very good. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 18.27 g/l, pH 2.91, acidity 8.4%. Pale gold. A slightly sweet start then quite refined and juicy. Still quite astringent but serious. (JR)
Alcohol: 11.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £13 RRP
White
RS 5.2 g/l, pH 2.9, acidity 5.1%. The front label says the vineyard is 1.21 ha on granite. Good balance, very tangy, herbal and tastes dry. Fine and firm. (JR)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £13 RRP
White
RS 3 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 6%. Vegy nose. Very 'out there'. Sculpted. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
White
RS 1.01 g/l, pH 3.07, acidity 6.98%. Very slight body odour on the nose, but it's not extreme. Refined, chewy and dry with something crunchy on the finish. Appetising. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 2.6 g/l, pH 2.99, acidity 6.08%. Very intense nose and slightly soft palate. Vibrant and pungent. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.8%
Drink:
2012
–
2014
Price: £9 RRP
White
RS 1.4 g/l, pH 3.2, acidity 4.65%. 101-year-old vines. Sweet and scented. Racy. Boiled sweets. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
White
RS 105 g/l, pH 3.33, acidity 6.53%. 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Riesling, 5% Gewurztraminer. Rather simple and sweet. Not expensive but a bit heavy. GV? (JR)
Alcohol: 12%
Drink:
2012
–
2014
Price: £8 RRP
White
The Sauvignon Gris crops at Viña Leyda are carefully protected from the sun via canopy management. The harvest begins when the grapes turn to a dark pink-grey colour, normally at 24°C, and the grapes are 100% hand harvested. Following harvest the grapes were whole bunch pressed in low pressure pneumatic presses. Fermentation took place at 14-15°C, and lasted approximately 14 days. The wine was then aged on lees for six to eight months in stainless steel tanks.
Canned asparagus. Sweet and sour. Not my taste but it would refresh even if it's a bit uncomfortably chewy on the end. Industrial finish. (JR)
Canned asparagus. Sweet and sour. Not my taste but it would refresh even if it's a bit uncomfortably chewy on the end. Industrial finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2013
Price: £8.99 Marks and Spencer
White
RS 6.9 g/l. The grapes for this wine were sourced from vines grown in the Central Valley, 90% coming from the Bio-Bio Valley and 10% from Ukuquer-Rapel. Planted in 1993, the vineyards here grow on red clay soils and are trained on a vertical trellis system with integrated management and no irrigation. Due to the southern latitude of the vineyards the climate in this region is cool, with temperatures that rarely exceed 29°C. The grapes for this wine were hand harvested from the 4th to the 18th April 2012, and underwent cold maceration at 4°C for 15 days. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at 12-14°C, and secondary fermentation was started using indigenous strains of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae that are specific to the vineyard.
Mid gold. Not very Germanic. Rather floral, slightly tarty Riesling nose. Almost more Australian than German. A tiny bit phenolic still but getting there! Needs a little more grace. (JR)
Mid gold. Not very Germanic. Rather floral, slightly tarty Riesling nose. Almost more Australian than German. A tiny bit phenolic still but getting there! Needs a little more grace. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £7.99 Marks and Spencer
White
RS 3.4 g/l, pH 3.08, acidity 7.2%. Really very fine indeed. Satin smooth. Covers all the bases. Lime, savour, and a dry finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £14.95 Winedirect.co.uk
White
RS 3.8 g/l, pH 3.08, acidity 7.5%. Bright pale gold. Crystalline but very clenched compared with many of its peers. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
White
Lolol region. Organic. Very very pale – almost white. Aromatic, but without the usual New World pungency. More like kiwi fruit and elderflower. And on the palate there's a kick of lime, super clean and lots of green fruit. Not complex but without astringency or harshness or stridency. A very well-contained Sauvignon. (TC)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
White
RS 1.39 g/l, pH 3, acidity 8.24 g/l. From the coolest vineyards. Sweet nose. Green fruit. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £12 RRP
White
RS 1.94 g/l, pH 3.51, acidity 4.85%. Slightly hidden nose. Then rich, but not too much. Lots to get your teeth into. Long. Bravo! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
White
70% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Chardonnay, 5% Gewürztraminer. New release. Light nose, but absolutely lovely palate – a really interesting mix of tropical and citrus fruits. No oak influence. Proper dry finish. Some grapefruit bitterness on the finish. Really interesting, and a valid step up from the basic range. Innovative, valid. GV (RH)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £8.99 RRP
White
50% from Casablanca, 30% Limarí Valley, 20% Rapel (coastal – Lituetche). Classic Sauvignon Blanc nose. Very measured and accurate. Polished and smooth. Great purity on the nose: more interesting than the nose suggests, actually. High resolution fruit, and a little herbal note on the finish. GV (RH)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £7.99 RRP
16.5
/20
White
55% Roussanne, 30% Marsanne and 15% Viognier from Errazuriz’s Ocoa vineyard, 50km from the Pacific Ocean. Vines are planted on stony loam soil and the grapes were harvested in the early morning and carefully transported to the winery in 14 kg bins. Immediately whole-cluster pressed and the must lightly decanted. Each variety was vinified separately, with 25% fermented in 3rd-use French oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel tanks at 12 – 15 ºC with yeasts specially selected to enhance aromatic compounds at low temperatures. Aged in French oak barrels for 6 months. 30% of the final blend went through malo. TA 7.24 g/l, pH 3.26, RS 3.45 g/l.
Very heady and yet lively with a mouthful of explosive fruit. Tight and well done with a future, I'd have thought. Even more successful than the red. Long and savoury. (JR)
Very heady and yet lively with a mouthful of explosive fruit. Tight and well done with a future, I'd have thought. Even more successful than the red. Long and savoury. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £18.99 Waitrose
White
100% Sauvignon Blanc from a family-run vineyard worked sustainably in the stunning San Antonio region and just 12 km from the Pacific Ocean. Vines are 10 years old and planted on granite soils with alluvial deposits. Grapes were hand-harvested from 13th March to 15th April, destemmed and gently pneumatically pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at 12 – 16 °C. Bentonite fined. Winemaker Santiago Margozzini. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. TA 6.7 g/l, pH 3.2, RS 5.0 g/l.
Stinky nose and a bit simple. Tight. A bit metallic. Falls away a bit. (JR)
Stinky nose and a bit simple. Tight. A bit metallic. Falls away a bit. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £9.49 Waitrose
White
Cork. From alluvial soils in this far northern windy, sunny region.Half fermented in new French oak barrels.
Light, vaguely stony nose – more Chablis than any other European style. Sweet start on the palate and then passion fruit on the middle palate and correct, dynamic, energetic wine. Lightly smoky with masses of tension and acidity. Not the utmost in sophistication but very GV. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2018
Price: £11.50 Hoults Wine Merchants, Amps Fine Wines, Portland Wine Company, Thomas Peatling, Wilks & Co Wine Merchants
White
Screwcap. North-facing vineyard. Whole bunch pressed. Fermentation at 12ºC for three to four weeks. Residual sugar 3.6 g/l.
Slightly spritzig. Pure Riesling nose – not obviously sweet or floral but with some hazelut notes. Interesting. There is already some evolution – a lot more than one would expect in a German 2011 and just very, very slightly phenolic. But pure and without excess sweetness. Good balance. A very worthy Chilean Riesling. Good balance with a dry finish. I'd drink this with food. (JR)
Slightly spritzig. Pure Riesling nose – not obviously sweet or floral but with some hazelut notes. Interesting. There is already some evolution – a lot more than one would expect in a German 2011 and just very, very slightly phenolic. But pure and without excess sweetness. Good balance. A very worthy Chilean Riesling. Good balance with a dry finish. I'd drink this with food. (JR)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2011
–
2015
Price: £17 Wimbledon Wine, Hay Wines, South American Wines Online, ND John, Noel Young
White
Screwcap. South facing loamy vineyard at 90-120m. No added yeast. 70% fermented in French oak barrels for six months. Residual sugar 7.5 g/l. Alcohol level as given on the tech spec though the label says 13.5%.
Heady, smoky nose that actually smells bone dry somehow. Just a hint of body odour. Firm and zesty. Lots of character and body but overall hugely appetising. Just not oily but the oak is very well judged. Some suggestion of richness and wet stones. Great now. Just the ticket and without the greenness and asparagus of Sauvignon Blanc. Long. (JR)
Heady, smoky nose that actually smells bone dry somehow. Just a hint of body odour. Firm and zesty. Lots of character and body but overall hugely appetising. Just not oily but the oak is very well judged. Some suggestion of richness and wet stones. Great now. Just the ticket and without the greenness and asparagus of Sauvignon Blanc. Long. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2013
Price: £17 Wimbledon Wine, Hay Wines, South American Wines Online, Blythe Valley, Evertons, The Vineyard, ND John, Berry Bros
White
Screwcap. North-west facing vineyard at 90-120m altitude. Skin contact for one or two days. Long fermentation at 12ºC. Bottled in October. Residual sugar just over 3g/l.
Looks almost cloudy. Green, pungent, rather Kiwi nose. Just a little sweetness perceptible. Very tense and persistent. Verging on canned asparagus but it's still refreshing. I would bet it was more impressive a year ago. (JR)
Looks almost cloudy. Green, pungent, rather Kiwi nose. Just a little sweetness perceptible. Very tense and persistent. Verging on canned asparagus but it's still refreshing. I would bet it was more impressive a year ago. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2011
–
2013
Price: £17 Wimbledon Wine, NB John, Noel Young, South American Wines Online, Forman Wickes, Luvians, Harvey Nichols
White
RS 2.04 g/l, pH 3.15, acidity 6.68%. Lots of rather obvious lees contact. Slightly old-fashioned although plenty of concetration and impact. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
ROSÉ
Rosé
RS 1.97 g/l, pH 3.34, acidity 4.12%. 80% Syrah, 20% Malbec. Very pale salmon. Dull label but an agreeable nose. Meaty and solid. Dry finish. Fades a bit. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
Price: £7 RRP
Rosé
RS 2.63 g/l, pH 4.43, acidity 7.13%. Vines over 40 years old. Very very pale. Luscious with a dry finish. So pretty! (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £14 RRP
RED
Red
RS 2.74 g/l, pH 3.59, acidity 5.42 g/l. 90% Carmenère, 7.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Cabernet Franc. Vines planted in the 1970s. Round and dark fruited. Drier than the Terrunyo Carmenère. Palate filling. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: £15 RRP
Red
RS 2.09 g/l, pH 3.42, acidity 5.93. g/l. 90% Carmènere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines planted in 1984 and 1985. Very dark purple. Just a little raw with prominent acid. Hard work. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2015
Price: £15 RRP
Red
RS 2.84 g/l, pH 3.57, acidity 5.55 g/l. Vines planted in 1988 in Bruin. Destemmed and whole-bunch. Gentle, but a structured approach. Good rounded palate. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.54 g/l, pH 3.55, acidity 5.55 g/l. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Carmenere, 1% Petit Verdot. Dark crimson. Scented and gentle. Full. Verry good and GV. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £13 RRP
Red
RS 2.2 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 3.36 g/l. 33% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere, 14% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot. Blackish crimson. Thick and smudgy and lively. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.69 g/l, pH 3.9, acidity 4.76 g/l. Smells stinky – dishwater. It's OK. A bit of beetrooty fruit. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2015
Price: £8 RRP
Red
RS 3.44 g/l, pH 3.74, acidity 4.86 g/l. Very dark colour. Gentle and savoury. Loose finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.65 g/l, pH 3.28, acidity 6.51 g/l. 90% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah. Dark crimson. A bit solid and harsh. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
100% Malbec grown on alluvial soils with only 10cms of top soil and then 2 – 3 metres of old river bed stones. The grapes were harvested by hand in early April. The bunches were gently destemmed and fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks lasting 7 – 10 days. During ferment the juice was pumped over the skin cap three times per day. After a natural malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged for six months in contact with French oak. Winemaker was New Zealander Brett Jackson. Suitable for vegetarians. TA 4.49 g/l, pH 3.53, RS 2.15 g/l.
Really brambly and rich, with a leafiness that is pleasingly Chilean. Bright purple colour. Good Christmas party stuff. (RH)
Really brambly and rich, with a leafiness that is pleasingly Chilean. Bright purple colour. Good Christmas party stuff. (RH)
Alcohol: 13.3%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £8.99 Waitrose
Red
Very deep colour but there's freshness and intensity. Lots of soft chewy fruit and then a good kick on the end. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
Red
Low key, well behaved but a bit dull. Chewy finish but without the drama that the best wines of Maipo can deliver. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £9.95 Corney & Barrow
Red
Correct and fresh. Owned by Tarapaca. Racy and correct and well balanced. Lots of fruit but no excess of sweetness. Ed Flaherty (ex Errazuriz) made this. Chapeau! Really appetising and juicy. GV (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £10.45 Corney & Barrow
Red
Pale crimson. Simple and green. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2014
Price: £7.25 Corney & Barrow
Red
Exceptionlly dark purple. Not that aromatic but very suitably true and dry and nicely splits the difference between north Rhône and Chile. Very sinewy and appetising. Bravo! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Red
Pale ruby. Light and vegy nose – very refreshing. Transparent and gentle. Impressive freshness and good balance between fruit and acidity. Very light tannins. Much more convincing than the 2011. Lightly spicy. Very delicate. Aperitif style? (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Red
Dark, firm, sweet – suddenly a bit of a shock after all the European wines! Pretty medicinal but not industrial anyway. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £9.99 Majestic. Buy 2 bottles each £7.99 until 3 Feb 2014
Red
RS 2.6 g/l, pH 3.26, acidity 3.3%. Slightly rustic nose, but very honest. Lots of personality. Camping wine? (JR)
Alcohol: 13.4%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £7 RRP
16.5
/20
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 3.1%. Dark crimson. Rich, satisfying Pinot Noir. Spicy, intense, quince notes. Dense and dry but with plenty of stuffing. Quite exciting. Is this the terroir effect? Very chewy. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2019
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.9 g/l, pH 3.55, acidity 5.4%. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot. Old vines, presumably. Blackish crimson. Lift and interest! Lovely transparency and race. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
Lolo region. Round, and fills all corners of the palate. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.35 g/l, pH 3.49, acidity 5.7%. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Syrah. Blackcurrant and structure. Ambitious but without the breadth of palate of very good bordeaux. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink:
2015
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.81 g/l, pH 3.59, acidity 5.85%. 85% Carmenère, 10% Carignan, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Some aromatic development and some rusty nails. Hint of game. Taut finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.1%
Drink:
2015
–
2019
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.4 g/l, pH 3.52, acidity 5.44%. 94% Carmenere, 4% Carignan, 2% Tempranillo. Very deep crimson. Ripe but glossy and smooth. Firm and still slightly chewy. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 3.23 g/l, pH 3.41, acidity 5.51%. Bright clean red. Slightly lolly nose. Light and fruity and with a firm finish. Prety simple. A work in progress. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.49 g/l, pH 3.36, acidity 6.66%. 56-year-old vines. Tart and hard; unyielding and fades quickly. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
15.5
/20
Red
RS 3.15 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 6.08%. 95% Carmenere, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 38- to 40-year-old vines. Dark crimson. Sweet-oak nose. Uncomfortable, awkward. Will it ever come round? (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2012
–
2017
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.64 g/l, pH 2.27, acidity 5.5%. 100-year-old vines. Very sweet and dense but somewhat lacking life. Hard work. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2015
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.9 g/l, pH 3.48, acidity 6.05%. 55-year-old vines. Sweet cocoa notes on the nose then very tart. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.5 g/l, pH 3.52, acidity 3.27%. 75-year-old vines. Real interest here. Juicy, sweet and concentrated. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.7%
Drink:
2013
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
15.5
/20
Red
RS 2.1 g/l, pH 3.4, acidity 6.4%. 60% Carmenere, 40% Carignan. Over 50-year-old vines. Too oaky and tarted-up winemaking. Sweet! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.49 g/l, pH 3.57, acidity 3.8%. 90% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 48-year-old vines. Slightly dank, nose. Green! And sweet. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.31 g/l, pH 3.51, acidity 5.48%. 80-year-old vines. Scented, sweet and easy. Appetising racy stuff. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2019
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 4.17 g/l, pH 3.51, acidity 5.64%. 66% Malbec, 34% Carmenere. Vines over 60 years old. Dark crimson. Blackberry notes. Very concentrated. Quite dry on the end. Real mineral personality. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3 g/l, pH 3.42, acidity 5.6%. Vines over 100 years old. Bursting with fruit and real content without too much dryness. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.79 g/l, pH 3.45, acidity 3.77% 87-year-old vines. Well tamed, easy, gentle and exciting. Maybe slightly too oaky but smooth. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.65, acidity 3.52%. 65-year-old vines. Ridiculously heavy bottle!! Sweet and exaggerated. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2015
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.36 g/l, pH 3.47, acidity 5.72%. Vines over 70 years old. Round, opulent and slightly tarry. Better than most but lacks spark. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.2 g/l, pH 3.37, acidity 4.22%. 88% Carignan, 12% Cinsault. 55-year-old vines.
Gentler than most, quite exciting. Although the acidity is quite high. Long. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 6.58%. 75- to 80-year-old vines. Rather cloaked in oak. Slightly sour. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: £15 RRP
Red
RS 3.09 g/l, pH 3.44, acidity 3.69%. 100-year-old vines. Sweet start. Tastes very 'Languedoc'! Very very tart. Not balanced. Such hard work! (JR)
Alcohol: 15%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 3.34 g/l, pH 3.26, acidity 6.35%. 60-year-old vines. Dark crimson. Very meaty and interesting. Racy. Very obviously dry farmed and aggressive tannins but with real personality. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.8%
Drink:
2014
–
2019
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.63 g/l, pH 3.56, acidity 5.55%. 93% Carignan, 4% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot. Vines over 60 years old. Dark crimson. Too oaky. I would love to see this without oak – there is clearly exciting fruit there. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.34 g/l, pH 3.88, acidity 3.52%. 80% Carignan, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 60- to 80-year-old vines. Too much oak! It's difficult to get at the fruit. Too tarty. (JR)
Alcohol: 13%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.64 g/l, pH 3.7, acidity 3.25%. Mid crimson. Fun, gritty. Rounded and plums with real bottom. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £9 RRP
Red
RS 4.74 g/l, pH 3.66, acidity 3.26%. 54-year-old vines. Some cool-fermentation aromas. Sweet and cocoa-like, but firm. Still angular. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.75 g/l, pH 3.5, acidity 5.6%. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Syrah. Blackish crimson. Heady. Fermented tarry bricks?! Tough finish, very concentrated. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2016
–
2024
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.7 g/l, pH 3.61, acidity 5.54%. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Very well balanced and mineral. Sophisticated. So appetising and healthy! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2018
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.55 g/l, pH 3.45, acidity 5.8%. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah, 3% Carmenere, 2% Petit Verdot. Very slightly rough but honest. Chewy. Smoky. Dry end. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £14 RRP
15.5
/20
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3, acidity 3.1%. 25% Syrah, 25% Carmenere, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot. Intense and sweet. Very dry end – a bit excessively so. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2015
–
2020
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.63, acidity 5.12%. 38% Syrah, 27% Carmenère, 21% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Mourvèdre. Very dark. Spicy, subtle and layered. Kerpow, but great oak treatment. Not at all fleshy except for the fruit. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.6%
Drink:
2012
–
2018
Price: £14.95 The Wine Society
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.5, acidity 6%. 74% Syrah, 14% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Leathery nose. Quite lifted. Definitely different! All knit. Definitely Chilean. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2020
Price: £13.79 Allaboutwine.co.uk
Red
RS 3.12 g/l, pH 3.4, acidity 5.75%. Creamy luxurious Syrah. Fresh and dry finish. Very subtle. Really excellent, but subtle. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £14.95 Noel Young
16.5
/20
Red
RS 3.45 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 4.6%. Very dark. Mellow and well melded. Lifted and orund and not too thick. Spicy. Great nose. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: £14 RRP
Red
RS 2.09 g/l, pH 3.7, acidity 5.03%. Dark crimson. Smoked meat and real interest. Sweet start then lots of acid and lots of fruit. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: £15 RRP
16.5
/20
Red
RS 2.8 g/l, pH 3.7, acidity 4.6%. Very rich and cocoa-like. Unusual! But has real personality and is a very easy drink. Smoky end. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2012
–
2015
Price: £9 RRP
15.5
/20
Red
RS 2.89 g/l, pH 3.34, acidity 3.62%. Bit smoky/smoked meat on the nose. Then sweet. Bovrily! (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2012
–
2014
Price: £9 RRP
15.5
/20
Red
RS 2.2 g/l, pH 3.42, acidity 3.64%. Very dark with a rich sweet nose. New World Syrah. Slightly aggressive but certainly shows potential. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £8 RRP
Red
RS 2 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 3.85%. Nice violet lift (like Negrette?!). Very good balance. Slightly tough (typical Petit Verdot) but very appetising and not sweet. Solid. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £15 RRP
Red
Lolol. RS 3 g/l, pH 3.3, acidity 3.18%. Dark crimson. Round and intense. Like a vat of Ribena? Not subtle! (JR)
Alcohol: 15%
Drink:
2014
–
2017
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 17.2 g/l, pH 3.6, acidity 5.46%. 97% Carmenère, 3% Syrah. Dark glowing crimson. Intense and very 'modern'. Feeling the oak influence. Slightly syrupy with a dry finish. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £15 RRP
Red
RS 3 g/l, pH 3.5, acidity 5.59%. Glowing crimson. Mild and well mannered. Appetising and actually quite interesting! But not gritty. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £15 RRP
Red
RS 2.3 g/l. pH 3.59, acidity 6.26%.
Mid crimson. Lifted nose and very sophisticated palate. Dry but with sufficient fruit. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2018
Price: £17.95 Slurp.co.uk
Red
RS 2.5 g/l, pH 3.4, acidity 3.8%. Sweet and perfumed. Flattering. Fruitier than their Cahuil Pinot tasted just before. Violets. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £17.50 RRP
Red
RS 3.7 g/l, pH 3.29, acidity 4.07%. Sweet and grainy. A bit dry on the end. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
Price: £15 RRP
14.5
/20
Red
Very modern and really rather tarty and sweet. Uncomfortable to taste and pretty manipulated. (JR)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Red
Ridiculously heavy bottle. Super-intense cassis and menthol on the nose. Cab on steroids! Very rich, very concentrated, very cassis. Sweet. There's a tinge of eucalyptus on the finish, but mostly it's like distilled concentrate of warm-climate Cabernet Sauvignon. Almost a caricature. Hard to know when or how to drink this. In thimblefuls? (TC)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
16.5 +
/20
Red
RS 1.8 g/l, 3.58 pH, TA 5.75 g/l. Pure fruit with a lovely floral fragrance – great quality and purity. Dark fruit cake. Full without being lumbering. Not much cool climate Syrah character – yet. Worth keeping to let the fruit retreat. (RH)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2016
–
2026
Red
RS 2 g/l. 3.54 pH, TA 5.82 g/l. Green and medicinal on the nose; hard tannins and bitter finish on the palate. (RH)
Alcohol: 14.4%
Drink:
2014
–
2018
15.5
/20
Red
RS 1.6 g/l, 3.65 pH, TA 5.27 g/l. Medicinal eucalypt character. Is that really typical for Syrah? Certainly typical for Chile. Dark chocolate. Heady. Overworked. (RH)
Alcohol: 13.9%
Drink:
2010
–
2017
15.5
/20
Red
RS 1.8 g/l, pH 3.73, TA 5.25 g/l. Some manure character here – characterful but not 100% pleasant. Might be slightly reductive. The fruit hasn’t been compromised – it’s fully loaded with blackcurrant et al – but the rest of the palate isn’t entirely pure. (RH)
Alcohol: 13.7%
Drink:
2009
–
2016
Red
RS 1.9 g/l, 3.76 pH, 5.16 TA g/l. Red fruit juice – raspberry, redcurrant. Bright, well defined, sharply focused. Attractive smoky bacon and spice character. But bitter on the palate – over-extraction? Shame – makes this a bit chewy and sour. (RH)
Alcohol: 13.8%
Drink:
2008
–
2014
Red
RS 1.99 g/l, 3.84 pH, TA 4.5 g/l. Maturing properly – meat juice, pepper, chocolate. Strong fragrance on the nose. Dense and satisfying fruit. Still plenty of potential for ageing further – well balanced, plenty of fruit. Perhaps there’s a little fungal element here – brett? – that could be distracting though. (RH)
Alcohol: 14.4%
Drink:
2008
–
2018
Red
100% new French oak for 14 months. Served at 16 ºC. Juicy, supple ebullient red fruit. Pure redcurrant fruit. Soft floury tannins, very correct – but none of the complexity and esoterica that Pinot can produce. A good example of sophisticated Chilean oak usage, but it can’t hide its heat, and while the fruit is exemplary, it finishes quite simply. Perhaps it will develop with a few years maturation? (RH)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £31 Wine Society
Red
From Puente Alto vineyard. Made to reflect the style of 1970s Chilean wine – so, no leaf-plucking, picked in mid-March (one month earlier than modern average). Three pumpovers a day. Aged in old 600 litre casks for three years. Discreet nose. Tame fruit, pretty grippy tannins – but not aggressively so. Pretty rudimentary fruit flavour, but nicely balanced and rounded. And no greenness whatsoever. (RH)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2020
Price: £11.99 RRP
16.5
/20
Red
65% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 7% Syrah and 5% Roussanne from the Max and Ocoa vineyards in the Valle de Aconcagua. All varieties hand-picked between mid-March for the Roussanne to early-May for the Grenache. Carefully sorted twice then vinified separately in stainless steel tanks or 10hl oak vats at 24 – 28 °C with 3 pumpovers per day and a total skin contact time of 6 – 28 days. Blended before being aged for 16 months in French oak, of which 15% was new. TA 5.95 g/l, pH 3.36, RS 2.64 g/l. IWC 2013 Bronze Medal.
Very punchy with real drive. Not sure I would guess anything like these varieties. But the whole is an attractive zesty red. (JR)
Very punchy with real drive. Not sure I would guess anything like these varieties. But the whole is an attractive zesty red. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2020
Price: £18.99 Waitrose
Red
85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc from the Max I, II and Max V vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley where alluvial and colluvial soils provide good drainage and conditions for Bordeaux varietals. Grapes were harvested in April into 14kg boxes and underwent a double triage sorting on arrival at the winery before being crushed and fermented at 24 – 28 °C with 3 daily pumpovers. Macerated post ferment for up to 39 days, then final blend aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.51, RS 2.85 g/l. DWWA 2013 Silver Medal and IWC 2013 Bronze Medal.
Dark crimson. Red peppers and luscious fruit though with a skein of green too. Lively and serious. But some will seek something a bit sweeter. (JR)
Dark crimson. Red peppers and luscious fruit though with a skein of green too. Lively and serious. But some will seek something a bit sweeter. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2014
–
2020
Price: £12.99 Waitrose
Red
From a vineyard in the hills above Los Lingues, in Alto Colchagua. 14% Mourvèdre and is aged in barrel for over a year. Exclusive to The Wine Society.
Deep crimson. Very ripe nose. This wine must seem like manna from heaven in the land of Cabernet and Merlot though arguably loses a bit of its premium out in the big wide world. Chewy finish. Nicely done. Though the oak is a tad obvious. (JR)
Deep crimson. Very ripe nose. This wine must seem like manna from heaven in the land of Cabernet and Merlot though arguably loses a bit of its premium out in the big wide world. Chewy finish. Nicely done. Though the oak is a tad obvious. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £11.50 The Wine Society
Red
The Corte Ignacio range is a special selection of wines from Concha y Toro's inspirational Ignacio Recabarren. His Cabernet comes from Pirque, one of the finest communes of the Alto Maipo. Barrel aged for a year.
Dark crimson. Much fuller and more satisfying than its Merlot stablemate with marked mineral undertow. Even a little old-fashioned! Very much drier than the Chilean norm and none the worse for it. It's rare to find an oaked, ageworthy wine at this price. GV (JR)
Dark crimson. Much fuller and more satisfying than its Merlot stablemate with marked mineral undertow. Even a little old-fashioned! Very much drier than the Chilean norm and none the worse for it. It's rare to find an oaked, ageworthy wine at this price. GV (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Price: £7.95 The Wine Society
Red
Aged for a year in Seguin Moreau and Alain Fouquet barrels, and blended with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to contribute a cedary top note. Made by Ignacio Recabarren exclusively for The Society.
Lots of ripe fruit delivery but there is that overlay of greenness and the fruit does not carry on to a glorious finish. Not cookie cutter but still a little youthful. (JR)
Lots of ripe fruit delivery but there is that overlay of greenness and the fruit does not carry on to a glorious finish. Not cookie cutter but still a little youthful. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.5%
Drink:
2014
–
2016
Price: £7.95 The Wine Society
Red
Very dark crimson. Full on liquorice and leather but with good lift on the finish. Appetising texture and no excess of alcohol – even a bit mild! Less of the integrity and personality than the Casa Marin Syrah tasted recently but very respectable. (JR)
Alcohol: 14%
Drink:
2013
–
2017
Red
Cork stopper. North facing vineyard of volcanic soil and granite. 150-250m. Not picked til May. All barrel fermented with 80% new French oak for 18 months. Unfiltered. I'm assuming the tech spec claiming '100% Pinot Noir' is a misprint. (Have not yet smelt it.)
Bright, mid crimson. Just very very slightly dank oak on the nose but appetising overall and the fruit shines through rather than the oak. Good transparency. A little severe on the finish but admirable for avoiding the path of sweetness and obvious spiciness. I'd hate to be given this blind! Arguably more northern Rhône than Chile. A suggestion of bitter red berries. Really grips the palate. Admirably different from the commercial mainstream. Juicy with some delicacy. (JR)
Bright, mid crimson. Just very very slightly dank oak on the nose but appetising overall and the fruit shines through rather than the oak. Good transparency. A little severe on the finish but admirable for avoiding the path of sweetness and obvious spiciness. I'd hate to be given this blind! Arguably more northern Rhône than Chile. A suggestion of bitter red berries. Really grips the palate. Admirably different from the commercial mainstream. Juicy with some delicacy. (JR)
Alcohol: 12%
Drink:
2012
–
2018
Price: £32 Swig, Slurp, Noel Young, Dallas Liquormart - London, Bordeaux Index, Divine Fine Wines
Red
RS 1.3 g/l, pH 3, acidity 5%. 69% Carignan, 26% Syrah, 5% Chardonnay. Vines over 50 years old.
Rich ripe blackberry nose. Sweet then very, very sour. Hard work. (JR)
Alcohol: 15%
Drink:
2013
–
2015
Price: >£15 RRP
Red
RS 2.3 g/l, pH 3.75, acidity 3.31%. Whole-bunch fermentation. Spicy nose and quite luscious compared with the other Bío Bío Malbecs tasted at New Generation. Very impressive. (JR)
Alcohol: 14.2%
Drink:
2013
–
2016
Price: £15 RRP
