2jX32GW

BUYINGGUIDE
toughness and charred oak. Drink through 2024.
Terlato Wines International. —M.S.
abv: 14.1% Price: $24
91
San Pedro 2013 Cabo de Hornos Cabernet Sauvignon
(Cachapoal Valley). Earthy balsamic
aromas become more tarry and oaky the longer
this sits. In the mouth, the tannins are fierce and
extremely dry. Flavors of toast and raw wood are big
players, while minty, chocolaty berry notes are also
in play. This seems more woody than fruity, with
dry rough tannins pushing the finish. Drink through
2026. Shaw-Ross International Importers. Cellar
Selection. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $60
90
Agustinos 2013 Escorial Limited Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley). A big
blanket of oaky, chocolaty, minty aromas sits on top
of herbal plum and cassis scents. No surprise that
this is a big wine with loud plum, blackberry and
spice flavors, but it’s also a bit awkward in feel. On
the finish, this spreads apart at the seams, leaving
no cushion for scorching acidity and hard tannins.
Drink through 2021. Apollo Fine Spirits. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $40
89
Echeverria 2012 Founder’s Selection Cabernet
Sauvignon (Maipo Valley). Soft stewy
raisiny aromas are not problematic but they do suggest
a wine that’s a bit overripe, which isn’t surprising
for 2012—a notoriously hot year. A heavy palate
is a touch mushy but also tannic. Candied flavors of
cherry and cassis are raisiny, while this is plodding
and chocolaty on the finish. Ararat Import/Export
Co. LLC. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $40
89
Undurraga 2014 Sibaris Gran Reserva Cabernet
Sauvignon (Maipo Valley). Uncomplicated
berry and plum aromas are easy to process.
This everyday Cabernet feels complete despite
showing rubbery grabby tannins. Lightly herbal
plum and berry flavors finish tight, bright and fresh.
Maritime Wine Trading Collective. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $18
88
San Pedro 2014 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet
Sauvignon (Maipo Valley). Roasted
smoky berry aromas are good but nothing special.
This feels alive and wiry, with grabby tannins and
prodding acidity. Roasted spicy plum and berry flavors
finish dry, spicy and in good shape. Shaw-Ross
International Importers. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $18
87
Alcance 2014 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maule Valley). Berry, raw oak and
graphite aromas lead to a rock-hard drying palate
with fierce tannins. This tastes of oaky salty plum
and berry, while a woody finish is overtly tannic and
borderline abrasive. Majestic Imports. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $24
87
In Situ 2014 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Aconcagua Valley). Rubbery berry
aromas come with a note of raw oak. On the palate,
this is drawing and hard, with drying tannins.
Jammy berry flavors are generic and a bit hot, while
hard tannins reappear on the finish, which has a
natural but raw tomato character. Joseph Victori
Wines. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $15
87
Undurraga 2014 Aliwen Reserva Cabernet
Sauvignon (Chile). Smoky nuances of campfire
and hickory are detectable on a nose that’s
anchored by generic berry scents. This is medium
in body, with juicy fresh acidity. Snappy piquant
red-fruits turn spicy and peppery on a steady finish.
Maritime Wine Trading Collective. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $14
86
Chilensis 2014 Reserva Estate Bottled Cabernet
Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley). Dry
herbal red-berry aromas are generic all the way.
This feels a bit grabby and hard, while medicinal
plum and raspberry flavors rank as herbal. Minty
spicy flavors control the finish on this standardissue
Cabernet. Old Bridge Cellars. Best Buy. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $10
86
Santa Ema 2014 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maipo Valley). Lightly herbal blackberry
and cassis aromas come with strong notes of
olive and oak-based clove. Oaky prune and raisin
flavors have tartaric and animal notes, while this
is grabby and tannic as well as acidic on the finish.
Guarachi Wine Partners. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $14
86
Santa Luz 2015 Gran Reserva Corte Cabernet
Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley). Grapy berry
and raisin aromas include notes of baking spices.
This feels wide but wiry, with tartaric acidity at the
core. Generic berry flavors end with a dry drawing
finish. Craft + Estate–The Winebow Group. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $12
86
Ventisquero 2014 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maipo Valley). Generic cherry and
berry aromas are lightly herbal, jammy and medicinal.
This mid-tier Cabernet is fresh and fair, nothing
more. Everyday red-plum and cherry flavors end
with a touch of leafy greenness. San Francisco Wine
Exchange. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $13
85
Agustinos 2015 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maipo Valley). Raisin and berry aromas set
up a medium-bodied palate. Herbal, lightly greenberry
flavors revert to raisiny and leafy on a lively
but middle of the road finish. Apollo Fine Spirits.
Best Buy. —M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $10
85
Aresti 2016 Special Release Reserva Cabernet
Sauvignon (Curicó Valley). This early
2016 release smells like a scented sandalwood
candle. In the mouth, things are sticky and scratchy,
while olive and herbal berry flavors finish with little
to no change. Vinamericas Selections. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
85
Bossy Boots 2014 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maule Valley). Herbal aromas of
tomato leaf and thyme feed into a crisp raw palate.
Leafy herbal flavors of tomato and dried green
herbs finish with raw tannins that scratch. Think of
this like you would basic Bordeaux. Vinaio Imports.
—M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $12
84
Balduzzi 2015 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maule Valley). Wiry cherry and
berry aromas include a note of olive. This value Cab
is lean and light in body, with leafy red-fruit flavors.
An inoffensive finish with no new flavors struggles
but holds it together. Vintage Wines Inc. Best Buy.
—M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $8
84
San Pedro 2015 Castillo de Molina Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Valley). Gritty
rubbery aromas are slightly acrid, like asphalt. This
is standard in feel, with generic berry flavors. Herbal
spice and mild heat control the finish. Beyond that,
there’s not much to say about this simple Cab.
Shaw-Ross International Importers. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $11
83
Finca Patagonia 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
(Maule Valley). Gritty roasted aromas
of burnt meat and herbal black fruits set up a
grabby palate that feels rough and tannic. Flavors
of salty, herbal, roasted berry fruits are strained.
Halby Marketing. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $16
83
Rayun 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (Central
Valley). Aromas of tire rubber, mint, clove
and green-leaning plum and cherry are less than convincing.
This lightweight Cabernet tastes of herbal
plum and cherry along with cinnamon powder. Regal
Wine Imports Inc. —M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $8
89
CARIGNAN
Meli 2013 Carignan (Maule Valley). Concentrated
cool aromas of herbal plum and berry
along with lemon peel announce this firmly tannic,
medium-bodied Carignan. Toasty herbal blackberry
flavors include a note of black olive, while this
tastes spicy, savory and wild on the finish. Global
Vineyard Importers. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $17
88
Alcance 2013 Vigno Carignan (Maule Valley).
Chunky rubbery aromas of black plum form
the first act. This feels big and wide, with grabby
tannins. Flavors of toast, burnt oak, licorice and
62 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017