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Chilean Red Wines
Chile is probably the biggest success story in the world of wine in the last ten years. There's a vast array of inexpensive Chilean red wine everywhere, but the quality varies enormously. It's vineyards stretch over seven hundred miles north to south in a series of lush valleys between the Andes and the Coastal Ranges. Just like California, and with a very similar climate, Chile's vineyards are more affected by their location east to west between two mountain ranges, rather than north to south. Whereas east facing slopes of the Coastal Ranges receive less rainfall and warmer temperatures, the best vineyards are sited on the west facing slopes of the Andes, which benefit from cool night time temperatures producing high levels of acidity and good concentration of fruit.
Like Argentina, Chile is capable of producing some world class reds, and some whites too, most noticeably Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. If you avoid the mass produced low end brands it's possible to find some exceptional wines which are fantastic value for money.
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Maquis Lien94 Points Descorchados
92 Points james Suckling
92 Points Robert Parker
Maquis is a superb artisan family winery at the confluence of two rivers at the feet of the Andes. This "Lien" was their only wine for the first five years but they have sinced introduced others. It's a fantastic blend, made in a natural style.
Typical big Chilean nose. In the mouth it is soft and very smooth, elegant and perhaps more savoury than powerful and punchy.
It's a great wine as you can see from it's awards.
Learn MoreSulphite level: Very Low
John's Rating:
£22.00 -
Calcu Carmenere Reserva EspecialDescorchados 90 Points
A lovely wine from an artisan family winery producing wines in a natural style. The winery was built on a gravity feed system and uses pneumatic presses to extract only the best juice. They practice sustainable farming and winemaking.
Very deep opaque ruby, red fruit on the nose and big legs sticking to the side of the glass.
Soft and silky on the palate with red and black fruit flavours, and good palate cleansing acidity on the long finish.
Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£14.99 -
Pacha Carmenere Reserva Vina MartyRuby in colour with a very natural nose (reminiscent of Phillipe Viret's wines). Incidentally the name "Pach" means earth.
Good fruit with balanced oak, soft and round with earthy notes and a hint of residual sugar on the finish.
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Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£14.99 -
Corazon Del Indio BlendThis is superb.
Deep ruby in colour. Big fruit, bold and punchy nicely tempered by the oak. It's very smooth with gentle acidity.
Highly recommended.
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Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£18.49 -
Mariposa Alegre Cabernet Sauvignon Gran ReservaA lovely wine in that typical Chilean style. Aged in oak for 8 months.
The wine is soft with cherry flavours, very smooth with a dry finish.
Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£16.99 -
Little Quino Pinot Noir William FevreDescorchados 93 Points
A fantastic Pinot Noir, reminiscent of good Martinborough Pinot from New Zealand.
Light ruby in colour, mid weight on the palate. Cherry and plum flavours, smooth with balanced gentle acidity. This is unoaked to retain the freshness and fruit. It is very good indeed!
Learn MoreGrapes Own Yeast: Yes
Sustainable farming: Yes
Dry farmed: Yes
No wood used: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£16.49 -
Undurraga TH Terroir Hunter Pinot Noir LeydaThe "Terroir Hunter" range is from small plots of special vineyards matched to specific varietals to show off Chile's potential.
We are on the 2016. Limited quantity available at this special price.
Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£19.99 -
Undurraga TH Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon MaipoThe "Terroir Hunter" range is from small plots of special vineyards matched to specific varietals to show off Chile's potential.
This Cabernet is from Pirque, one of the coldest regions in the Alto Maipo.
Hand harvested grapes, low intervention winemaking and aged 12 months in French oak.This is made in a more elegant cool climate (European) style rather than big blockbusting Chile. It's very good, super smooth, and delicious.
We are on the 2015. Limited quantity available at this special price.
Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£19.99 -
Undurraga TH Terroir Hunter Carmenere PeumoThe "Terroir Hunter" range is from small plots of special vineyards matched to specific varietals to show off Chile's potential. This Carmenere is from Peumo, Chile's premium area for Carmenere due to it's high temperatures combined with coastal influence which increases natural acidity.
The wine is excellent. Typical Chilean nose with big red fruit flavours initially. The palate is silky smooth with balanced acidity and oak. It's a classical wine, very enjoyable.
We are on the 2015. Limited quantity available at this special price.
Learn MoreSustainable farming: Yes
Sulphite level: Low
John's Rating:
£19.99
