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Antiyal, 2004 Maipo Valley - $50 (50% carmenère, 40% cabernet sauvignon, 10% syrah): Made by Alvaro Espinoza. Complex aromas of currant, red cherry and cumin. Palate notes of cherry, strawberry and tobacco seed. Lengthy finish with velvety tannins, lively acidity, well-integrated oak and notes of currant and allspice. Great finesse and polish - beautiful winemaking. Would be heavenly paired with roast pork. Score: 93 Apaltagua, 2003 Grial Carmenère, Colchagua Valley - $40: Made from 60-year-old vines by Alvaro Espinoza. Intriguing aromas of cinnamon, tobacco leaf and red plum. Elegant entry with notes of cherry, cassis and coriander. Nicely structured finish with balanced acidity, notable brown spice and earthy, lightly spicy tannins. A fine expression of the terroir. Score: 92 Carmen, 2003 Gold Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Maipo - $68: Lovely aromas of red licorice, black currant and violets. Medium-full bodied with excellent concentration. Beautifully defined mid-palate with notes of red plum, black cherry and cola. Lengthy, well-structured finish with perfectly integrated oak, velvety tannins and very good acidity. Quite refined with lovely complexity and finesse - pure class. One of Chile's finest bottlings, this should age well for 12 to 15 years. Score: 96 Carmen, 2002 Winemaker's Reserve Red, Valle de Maipo - $42 (51% cabernet sauvignon, 20% carmenère, 10% syrah, 10% petite sirah, 9% merlot): Exuberant aromas of black currant, tar and clove. Deeply concentrated on the palate displaying flavors of dark chocolate, black plum and licorice. Good acidity, pleasant oak and youthful tannins. Complex finish with excellent fruit persistence and notes of peppercorn and mace. A wonderfully stylish wine that should age beautifully. Score: 94 Casa Lapostolle, 2004 Clos Apalta, Apalta District, Colchagua - $70 (84% carmenère/merlot, 16% cabernet sauvignon): Captivating aromas of mulberry, menthol and purple orchid. Richly concentrated with flavors of black plum, black raspberry and milk chocolate. Lovely acidity, round, velvety tannins and beautifully integrated oak. Lengthy finish with a hint of tobacco. Just delicious now with the stuffing for a decade of cellaring. Score: 94 Concha y Toro, 2004 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley - $50: Varietally pure aromas of cassis, mint and vanilla. A beautifully developed mid-palate offers flavors of red plum, cherry and marmalade. Perfectly integrated oak, very good acidity and refined tannins. Notes of coriander and black cherry in the finish. A classic from Alto Maipo, this vintage is all about elegance and finesse. Score: 94 Concha y Toro, 2004 Terryuno Carmenère, Peumo Vineyard, Cachapoal Valley - $28: Forward aromas of blackberry, boysenberry and menthol. Rich mid-palate with tantalizing flavors of black cherry, cacao and mulberry. Excellent fruit persistence, good acidity, young, spicy tannins and well-integrated oak. Notes of crushed pepper in the finish. Score: 92 Cousiño-Macul, 2004 Lota, Maipo Valley - $80 (85% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot): Lovely aromas of black currant, pink peppercorn and vanilla. Rich flavors of black cherry, plum and toffee on the palate. Good acidity, polished tannins and ample oak. Lengthy, beautifully structured finish with notes of fig and coffee. This winery has always focused on terroir-driven wines and this wine is a glorious, elegantly styled expression of that philosophy. Score: 93 Domus Aurea, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Upper Maipo Valley - $40: Captivating aromas of currant, cassis and roasted coffee bean. Notes of cinnamon, cherry and herbal tea on the palate. An earthy finish with good acidity, balanced tannins and nicely integrated oak. A more subdued style with distinct terroir and notes of dried brown herbs in the finale. Give this bottling some time (10 to 12 years) to unwind. Score: 90 Emiliana, 2003 G, Colchagua Valley - $89 (55% syrah, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 15% carmenère, 15% merlot; all biodynamically grown): A stunning effort by Alvaro Espinoza. Intoxicating aromas of black plum, black licorice and vanilla. Full bodied with layers of fruit on the palate flattered by notes of dark chocolate, menthol and black raspberry. Good acidity, youthful yet balanced tannins and nicely integrated oak. A robust finish with outstanding fruit persistence and notes of tobacco seed and cacao. An impressively made wine in all respects. Though amazing in its fruit presence now, this is just a baby and is meant for consumption in 10 to 12 years. Score: 95 Hacienda Araucano, 2002 Alka Carmenère, Colchagua Valley - $50: Enticing aromas of red cherry, tobacco leaf and red plum. The generous mid-palate offers appealing flavors of Bing cherry, carnation and red licorice. Graceful tannins and a note of mincemeat in the finish. Good acidity and subtle oak. Fine food wine. Score: 91 Haras de Pirque, 2003 Albis, Maipo Valley - $55 (73% cabernet sauvignon, 27% carmenère): Ripe aromas of black cherry, clove and tobacco. Appealing flavors of black plum, herbal tea and currant on the palate. Very good fruit persistence, ample oak, youthful tannins and good acidity. Notes of pepper and menthol in the finish. Score: 91 Le Dix de Los Vascos, 2002 Colchagua - $44 (100% cabernet sauvignon): Aromas of black currant, cigar box and vanilla. Notes of black cherry, tar and black plum on the palate. A rich, persistent finish with lovely fruit and notes of white pepper. Nicely balanced tannins and oak with good acidity. One of the best releases yet from this estate. Score: 92 Montes, 2004 Alpha M, Apalta, Santa Cruz, Colchagua - $82 (80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 5% merlot, 5% petit verdot): Fragrant aromas of wild strawberry, rhubarb and carnation. Full bodied with a generous mid-palate displaying flavors of red cherry, cola and currant. Elegant tannins, good acidity and ample oak. Lengthy, well-rounded finish marked by coriander and cinnamon. Notably complex and expressive of its terroir. Score: 93 Montes, 2004 Folly, Apalta, Santa Cruz, Colchagua - $82 (100% syrah): Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and anise. Medium-full bodied with excellent concentration. The palate reveals flavors of black cherry, black plum and mace. Big persistence of fruit in the finish. Elegant tannins, good acidity and subtle oak. Richly flavored with a graceful palate feel. A delicious food wine. Score: 92 Seña, 2004 Aconcagua Valley - $70 (52% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 6% carmenère, 2% cabernet franc): Aromas of red cherry, black pepper and black olive. Flavors of currant, herbal tea and cassis emerge on the palate. Graceful finish with notes of white pepper. Velvety tannins, good acidity and beautifully integrated oak. Approachable now, but at its best in 7 to 10 years. Score: 93 |
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