The Best Value Wines from Chile

The best wines from Chile at the Wine Access 2011 International Value Wine Awards

High praise for Chile at the IVWA has become as predictable as sunshine in the Atacama desert. Fortunately for value seekers, the breadth of styles continues to expand, offering consumers ever-greater choice, while the typical price/quality ratio remains alarmingly fair. A quick scan of this year’s winners reveals an impressive list of regions and of both benchmark single varieties, as well as innovative blends — the latter a welcome trend, judging by this year’s results. I expect continued export success for Chile based on these wines of greater individuality and a wine scene of progressive, and appreciated, diversity. Producers still concentrating on formulaic commercial wines will miss the boat that’s heading to our increasingly demanding and educated market. (John Szabo)

Photo: Beatrice Murch

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Errazuriz 2009 Single Vineyard Carmenère

91Points

We’re well beyond saying “This wine is pretty good, for a carmenère,” and with this incredible outing from Errazuriz, there is proof that the little grape that could can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the globe’s noble grapes. Let this be the new edition of the carmenère textbook, with bright cherries, fresh herbs, dark chocolate and black pepper enveloping great minerality, brilliant acidity and perfectly integrated tannins. A stunner.

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