Chilean Wine

Producer Description 

Deep violet in color with glints of ruby. On the nose, it shows intense and highly complex aromas that evolve in the glass, with notes of herbs, fresh red fruits, spices, and a touch of menthol. 

On the palate, it has a great elegant structure and excellent volume and acidity, giving it a long, pleasant finish. This is a special wine that represents the uniqueness of its vineyard with a real sense of place.

Expert Review - 2020 Vintage

Jesica Vargas of The Wine Enthusiast 90 Points | This wine is predominantly Malbec, coming from old vines in Maule Valley. It has a nose of eucalyptus and earthy raspberries. Fine tannins and moderate acidity hold a palate full of cherries, herbs and tobacco. Savory notes shape the aftertaste.

Producer Description 

Intense and elegant aroma, with touches of cherry and spice. The palate is delicate and fresh. 

Producer Description 

Intense, dark ruby red color. Exquisite aroma offering classic notes of dark berry jam and hints of leather. A wonderfully elegant palate, revealing soft tannins and lingering layers of fruit and spices that carry through to the finish.

Producer Description 

Fresh, fruity aroma dominated by peach, white plum, and grapefruit notes, with touches of toasted hazelnut. Mineral on the palate, with plenty of volume, elegant acidity and lasting rich fruity aromas, ending with a fresh, pleasant aftertaste.

Winemaker Description

Carignan with a small amount of Mataró. Sourced from 11 rows at one end of the Truquilemu vineyard, 75+ year old vines. Ancestral farming by hand and horse.

Granitic soils. Hand harvested. Fermented with indigenous yeast. Pressed whole cluster. Aged in old barrels over one winter— barrels fourth use or more.

Winemaker Description

Complex, yet racy and savory, with fresh currants and currant leaves, as well as red chili pepper, cocoa powder, dark olives and a hint of cigar. This is a full-bodied red with tight, fine-grained tannins and elegant blackberries on the palate. Complete and long with some sweet spices at the end. 84% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Description

Deep violet in color, intense, and with a great aromatic complexity of red fruits together with floral notes of violets and roses. On the palate, it is a tasty wine with a soft spell and a superb freshness, along with the elegance and power so characteristic of Puente Alto. It is a wine with a velvety texture, lush body, and a very long and persistent finish.

Expert Review

James Suckling 97 Points | Deep and serious with black olives, blackberries, blueberries, tobacco leaf, sweet red capsicum, ash, dried meat and a hint of black chocolate. This is a more direct, full-bodied Don Melchor, filled with solid blackberries and wrapped by tight, fine-grained tannins. Long and deep. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc, 1% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Better after 2024. (2020). 

Vinous 95 Points | The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor has a 6% dash of Cabernet Franc along with 1% splashes of Merlot and Petit Verdot from Puente Alto, Maipo, and was aged for 15 months in 71% new French barrels. Vivid garnet red in the glass. The aromatic profile features red fruit such as cherry and black currant along with hints of mint, spice and pepper over secondary aromas from the aging process, including a gentle whiff of cedar. Intense in the mouth, with juicy freshness and young tannins that will integrate better in time. The fruit was especially vivid this year, adding greatly to the nuance and subtle details. This will growth deeper in the bottle. (2020). 

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Inviting aromas of chocolate-covered cherry, dried rose petal and petrichor set the stage for this well-structured red, which balances concentrated berry and mission fig flavors against vibrant acidity, lending a lush, mouthwatering quality to a finish that swirls with cassis, spices and fine tannins. Drink now. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

Los Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional to the everyday. The vision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) to expand their estates took them to South America in 1988, becoming the first French viticultural investment in modern Chile. Since then, a comprehensive modernization and investment program has been undertaken, oriented towards the production of fine wine using and adapting the viticultural experiences of Bordeaux and other areas where Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) is present. Los Vascos is located in Valley de Caneten (Colchagua), a closed valley in the central zone of Chile, approximately 25 miles from the sea. 

The valley provides a perfect microclimate for high quality viticulture, with Northern exposure to lands uncontaminated by airborne or water-borne pollutants. Daily on-shore winds provide temperature changes between 68-77°F, for optimum maturation of the grapes. With 1,581 acres on the over 5,000 acre estate, it is one of the largest vineyards in the central Colchagua valley, at the foot of Mount Cañeten.

Ripe plum and cherry-scented nose that also features notes of licorice, saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg that enhance the complexity of aromas. Notes of graphite, clove, dark chocolate and cedar take the experience to a whole new level; A smooth and supple wine with sweet and friendly tannins. Producer Description. 

Critic Review

94 Points James Suckling | Complex and deep nose with plenty of nuance. A fine twist of balsamic with some graphite, cigar box and walnut to the background of cassis and sweet berries. Juicy and medium- to full-bodied on the palate with fine tannins. 92% cabernet sauvignon and 8% syrah.

Expert Review

James Suckling | This is a very approachable grenache blend that shows rich yet tangy raspberries, redcurrants, leather, red licorice and tar. Full-bodied and fleshy on the palate, which is punctuated by some really good acidity and firmness to the tannins. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

This shows plenty of currant character, blueberry compote and tar, as well as savory undertones. Medium-bodied with resolved tannins and a round finish. 

Winemaker Description 

We present you GatoNegro Balance, a wholesome way to enjoy your flavorful GatoNegro wine but with less calories, at only 62 calories per glass. Its 5.5% alcohol results in a perfect balance that allows you to enjoy your all-time favorite wine guilt free.

GatoNegro Balance, full flavor and less calories. 

Expert Review

Toronto Star 92 Points | Each fragrant sip starts with bright lime and freshly sliced Granny Smith on the nose before beaming in with a tangy attack of lime, elderflower, grapefruit and damp herbs before tapering to a final sifting of salt. This dry thriller with just 12 per cent alcohol, is an easy win — especially when tacos, goat cheese salad or anything served with a squeeze of lime is on the table. It’s also excellent with steamed spears or Ontario asparagus. 

Winemaker Notes

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Tim Atkin,MW 96 points 96 Points | One of the great Chardonnays of South America - and, indeed, the southern hemisphere - this owes as much to the wines of Jura and Jerez as it does to those of Burgundy. Waxy, leesy and very lightly wooded, with notes of fresh bread and rock salt, some tannic grip from skin contact and layers of citrus peel and grapefruit." 94 points Descorchados "A combination of the two vineyards that Ventisquero has in Huasco, Loncomilla and Nicolasa, both strongly influenced by the presence of the sea breezes, the "camanchaca" fog that spreads out into the valley, providing humidity in a desert landscape. This has the minerality of the place, the way in which the acidity moves through the palate, accompanied by ripe white fruits and earthy, mineral tones that give it a touch of complexity. A chardonnay strongly influenced by its place.

Winemaker Description 

Deep red in colour with violet hues. The nose presents notes of fresh red fruit like raspberries, intermingled with hints of white pepper and herbal notes, along with soft spice. In the mouth, this is a very elegant wine with firm structure and pronounced, chalky tannins, fresh acidity and it is well-balanced and long. 

This Carménère reflects Apalta’s higher-elevation vineyards and is atypical of Chilean Carménère because of its origin in a high-altitude mountain vineyard which has given this wine its backbone and strength with great tension in the mouth. This is definitely a Carménère worth cellaring.

Stunning Pinot from the cool, high-altitude Colchagua Valley. Grown on volcanic soils and aged in concrete egg and neutral oak. Light, bright color with high aromatic intensity of fresh strawberries and red fruit such as currants and raspberry. On the palate, mineral with high acidity, along with ripe, soft and persistent tannins. 

Very aromatic with bright, structured strawberry and raspberry fruit, wet leaves, and stoney minerality. Sustainably farmed. Winemaker Description.

Winemaker Description

Manuel Moraga and his family live just outside of Yumbel in the Bio Bio River Valley of Chile. 

They are the seventh generation to look after their 80 hectare farm, 16 of which under vine. All vines are dry farmed, organically and characterized by its soils of "trumao" (volcanic sand formed by redeposited ash). Their vineyard was the 33rd registered vineyard in the history of Chile which speaks for just how old some of their vines are. In the winery all of the work is done manually meaning no destemmer, only "zaranda" (traditional bamboo screen); no presses, only free run juice; no pumps, only gravity. In addition, the wines are made naturally without using any type of oenological products, including sulphur.

This "oldschool" bottle (Manuel asked his label designer for something 'classic' and got this - so hey, we run with it, ha!) is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 25% País (Cabernet planted 1999, Malbec & País planted in 1776), dry farmed organically on Trumao (type of volcanic soil native to Central and Southern Chile). All grapes are hand harvested and fermented in raulí. The wine continues to age in old neutral oak barriques for about 10 months before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with zero SO2.

Sustainable, organic, dry farming 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 25% País

Winemaker Description

These vines are two kilometers inland from the Bío Bío river. The granitic soil has its origins in the volcanic activity that defined the costal range called Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, which translates to "Cougar’s Land," or Tierra de Pumas in Spanish. The wine itself is appropriately named due with its complex, fruity and meaty character. 

Expert Review

92 Points Robert Parker | The other new País is the 2019 Tierra de Pumas that comes from three hectares of old vines, the 77th vineyard registered in the zone, so one of the oldest remaining vineyards in Bio-Bio and possibly all of Chile, certainly over 200 years old. The soils are a mixture of granite and quartz with some clay, and the lower parts are more sedimentary, what it's locally called Serie Santa Juana because the vineyard is quite large. This is certainly different from the rest—if it's because of the soil or not is another story, but the vinification and élevage is very similar for all. There is a note that reminds me of blood orange peel and talcum powder, intensely aromatic, almost as if it went through semi-carbonic fermentation (which it did not). When tasted next to the other four País bottlings, this is the one that stands out because it has a different character. 10,000 bottles produced.

Winemaker Description 

Pale yellow in color with light green hints.

This Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc wine has complex and elegant nose offers up aromas of lime, grapefruit, pineapple and pear complemented by floral and mineral touches. 

In mouth it is fresh, well-balanced with a rich acidity and soft body, where citric and tropical fruits reappear with mineral finish that delivers complexity and elegance.

Expert Reviews- Vintage 2018 

Jesica Vargas of the Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | This elegant wine has delicate cocoa powder, black pepper and red-fruit aromas with a dash of espresso and a subtle oaky note. The palate presents firm tannins and nice juicy acidity. It's flavorful with cherry and raspberry blended with coffee bean and spice. It has a lingering fresh finish.

Vinous 90 Points | The 2018 Pinot Noir Herú from Casablanca was made with 30% whole bunches and aged in casks and eggs. Cherry red in hue. The nose features strawberry, herbs and damp earth against an oaky backdrop. Terse and refreshing with a silky, grippy flow; the finish is fruity. A ripely expressive wine.

Decanter 88 Points |  Quite perfumed, raspberry liqueur nose. Rounded and light, with polished tannins and mellow acidity.

Our Professional Review

Oscar Garcia Moncada 67Wine.com | Felipe Tosso, winemaker at Ventisquero crafts wines that are true to the Leyda Valley terroir and varietal, in this case, Pinot Noir. The 2017 Grey Glacier Pinot Noir opens up with a nose of ripe blackberries, subtle tones of black olives and cassis. Medium-light body with structured tannins.  Acidity keeps the wine very alive leading up to a touch of earthiness in the finish.

Winemaker Description

Deep ruby red with violet hues. The nose initially reveals aromas of black and red berries, such as murtillas, cranberries, black plums and raspberries. 

The palate has balanced acidity and flavors of juicy black fruit, along with smooth, well-rounded tannins sustained by the notes of soft French oak. 

Winemaker Description

A medium-bodied Pinot Noir with remarkable floral, cherry and raspberry aromas. In the mouth, bright fruit flavors with a wonderful texture and extraordinary acidity. Smooth and balanced with a long, silky and velvety finish.

Expert Review

92 Points Wine Spectator | A medium-bodied red with aromas of wild raspberries, porcini, dried herbs and smoked meat. Powdery, fine tannins with a chalky feel. Concentrated and taut with a savory, mineral finish. Drink or hold. (2019)