Chilean vineyards have the famous reputation of being ‘free from phylloxera,' the notorious vine louse that ravaged Europe's vineyards in the mid 1800s. Chile's isolation, via the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, protected its vineyards from phylloxera. Starting a vineyard in Chile is much simpler than in other regions where phylloxera has been a problem. To start a vineyard in Chile, all one has to do is plant vine cuttings; Chileans don't have to worry about grafting their vines onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock. Chile has numerous wine regions that contribute a broad array of styles and various levels of quality to Chilean wine offerings. The most important regions are the following: Casablanca, Aconcagua and the Central Valley which is encompassed by Maipo, Rapel, Curico and Maule. Aconcagua produces some of the finest Cabernet in Chile, and Casablanca, near the coast produces some of Chile's best whites, including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Chile's Maipo Valley is a Bordeaux varietal Mecca. Before phylloxera ravaged the vineyards of Europe in the mid 1800s, Maipo was planted with vine cuttings imported from Bordeaux. The rest of the Central Valley is successfully planted with Bordeaux varietals, both white and red, and Chardonnay.
More/Less
Go to page:
Page of 
90 Wine Spectator Ripe and muscular, with freshly plowed dark earth, currant, fig, bittersweet cocoa and tobacco notes all wound up under a layer of dark, spicy toast. Flashes of graphite and minerality lurk on the finish. Needs time to come together. Syrah, Merlot, Carmen?re, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
Intense ruby-red color. The nose is packed with layers of caramel, cinnamon, candy and hints of mint, with a prevalence of fruit over oak. A spicy, full-flavored wine, with good body, fruit and firm tannins. An engaging and strong finish. Well recommended for ageing. Denomination of Origin: Colchagua Valley.
89 WS A ripe, muscular style, offering solid blackberry and black currant fruit backed by dark toast, bittersweet cocoa and licorice snap notes, with a big, briary finish. Needs a little time to unwind. Drink now through 2011. 8,500 cases made.
87 pts. - JM Forward and tasty, with plum, toast and cocoa notes, and a ripe, fleshy finish. Drink now. 21,700 cases made.
Deep ruby, violet color with a nose of blackberries, smokey meat and vanilla. The bright blackberry and cherry fruit is wrapped with rich structure, full body, silky tannins and elegance with a long finish.
Brilliant yellow-green color, of medium intensity. Intense citric aroma with butter and vanilla notes. Good clean, direct apple and pear notes are backed by a modestly buttery edge. Fresh finish.
Bright gold tints. Fresh aromas of citris and tropical fruits. A medium-bodied wine with a long and pleasant finish.
This Merlot has an intense purple color, bouquet with aromas of ripe fruit such as berry and blueberry, tobacco and walnut. At the palate is complex, of great body, friendly tannins and long finish do to its evolution in French oak barrel.
86WS Solid apple and fig notes are backed by judicious toast, letting the fruit linger on the finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. \ufffdJM
More/LessGo to page:Page of 
Kahn’s Khronicle
Email Newletter