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BUYINGGUIDE
82
Bossy Boots 2014 Reserva Merlot (Maule
Valley). Raw abrasive plum and berry aromas
are grassy. This passable Merlot is rubbery and
pinched in feel, with herbal generic berry flavors
that finish with a weedy accent. Vinaio Imports.
—M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $12
82
Santa Ema 2014 Reserva Merlot (Maipo Valley).
From the outset this is woody and artificial
in style. Aromas of milk chocolate and clove are
strange and forced. In the mouth, this feels wiry but
also gummy, with clove-heavy oak and tannic bite. In
general, this is overly woody, candied and seemingly
not natural. Guarachi Wine Partners. —M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $14
90
PINOT NOIR
Cono Sur 2013 Ocio Pinot Noir (Casablanca
Valley). Smoky, charred berry aromas
include notes of tea and crushed leaves. This modern
Pinot feels big, with lemony acidity. Dark,
roasted plum and black-tea flavors end blocky, with
smoky woody notes. Drink this ripe, round wine
through 2020. Vineyard Brands. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $75
90
Valdivieso 2013 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
(Leyda Valley). There’s complexity to the
nose of this Leyda Valley Pinot courtesy of leather,
fresh mushroom and spicy plum aromas. A smooth,
elegant palate delivers flavors of earthy plum and
spiced black cherry. Mild toast and Middle Eastern
spice notes help the finish. Wine Bridge Imports.
—M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $25
89
Cono Sur 2014 20 Barrels Pinot Noir (Casablanca
Valley). Big briary berry aromas
smell smoky and like coffee. This is tight at its core,
with a sensation of buttery oak around the fringes.
That same buttery oak character carries over to the
flavor profile, which includes medicinal red fruits.
On the finish, this is firm, crisp and juicy. Vineyard
Brands. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $35
88
Casas del Toqui 2013 Terroir Selection Gran
Reserva Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley).
Lightly herbal cherry and plum aromas are earthy
and dry. This feels austere, with fresh acidity and
firm tannins. Peppery herbal plum flavors are spicy,
while oak-related spice notes stick out on a solid
and tight finish. Winery Direct. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $21
88
Matetic 2014 EQ Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley).
Gritty minerally aromas of vitamins
and medicinal plum and cranberry set up a fullbodied
palate with creamy oak. Herbal spicy blackplum
flavors finish oaky and a bit sticky and heavy.
Quintessential Wines. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $40
85
Chilcas 2015 Reserva Estate Bottled Pinot
Noir (San Rafael). Basic cherry aromas turn
more earthy and soupy with air. A crisp pulling palate
holds flavors of tomato and spiced plum, while
this is mild, with nothing much to speak of on the
finish. Old Bridge Cellars. —M.S.
abv: 13% Price: $12
83
Santa Rita 2015 120 Pinot Noir (Aconcagua
Valley). Funky aromas of red plum are leafy
and come with an odd scent of clove. This feels
grabby, while salty flavors of clove and dried-out red
fruits finish mildly woody. Palm Bay International.
—M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $8
81
Finca Patagonia 2015 Expedicion Pinot Noir
(Maule Valley). Aromas of chewing gum dust
are not attractive. This feels flat, with zero edge
and structure. Lightly oxidized flavors of generic
berry leave one with nothing to latch on to. Halby
Marketing. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $12
81
Santa Rita 2015 Secret Reserve Pinot Noir
(Central Valley). A blast of fake-smelling
clove is the dominant aroma on this sticky Pinot
Noir. Clove returns as the singular flavor, while
the finish is woody but not toasty or classy. This is
uniquely one-dimensional, but in the wrong way.
Palm Bay International. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $11
80
Casas del Toqui 2015 Barrel Series Reserva
Pinot Noir (Cachapoal Valley). Rusty in
color, with aromas of compost and rotten leaves,
this isn’t cutting it. A drawing hard palate and
burnt-out flavors that match the nose make this a
hard road to navigate. Winery Direct. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $14
90
SYRAH
MontGras 2014 Antu Syrah (Colchagua Valley).
For full review see page 19.
abv: 14.5% Price: $23
88
San Pedro 2014 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah
(Cachapoal Valley). The spicy, borderline
herbaceous and gritty aromas are plenty expressive.
This feels round and deep, with good balance, while
herbal savory flavors of roasted berry and tea finish
dry and clampy. Shaw-Ross International Importers.
—M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $20
88
Viña Bisquertt 2015 La Joya Gran Reserva
Syrah (Colchagua Valley). This dark concentrated
Syrah is loaded with spicy black-fruit
aromas. The mouthfeel is hard and tannic as well
as fresh, racy and juicy. Spiced plum, cherry and
blackened gritty flavors turn peppery on a tannic
finish. Prestige Beverage Group. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $15
88
Viña Tabalí 2014 Pedregoso Gran Reserva
Syrah (Limarí Valley). Oaky chocolaty aromas
and candied berry notes make for a rich opening.
This is tannic and bracing in feel, with peppery,
herbal berry flavors that are fully oaked. A
dark toasty finish offers some residual cream and
chocolate. Biagio Cru & Estate Wines, LLC. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $15
87
Leyda 2014 Single Vineyard Canelo Syrah
(Leyda Valley). Proprietary cool-climate
aromas of spicy meaty black fruits are suggestive of
peas. While this is raw, choppy and bumpy in feel,
it’s not ponderous. Roasted salty meaty plum flavors
are spicy, while this remains herbal in character but
fresh on the finish. —M.S.
abv: 14.5% Price: $20
87
Santa Ema 2013 Barrel Select Syrah
(Cachapoal Valley). Oaky aromas of graphite,
vanilla, berry fruits and plum lead to a firm clampy
high-acid palate with oak-rich flavors of spiced plum
and currant. Mildly green, minty flavors close out a
drawing tight finish. Guarachi Wine Partners. —M.S.
abv: 14% Price: $13
86
Alta Cima 2013 Speical Edition Reserva
Syrah (Lontué Valley). Angular plum and
berry aromas are rubbery. This Syrah feels wide
and blocky, but solid. Black-fruit flavors finish with
drawing tannins and a shot of black coffee. Global
Alliance Corp. Best Buy. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $11
86
De Martino 2013 Legado Reserva Syrah (Choapa
Valley). Aromatically speaking, this is
shaky due to murky earthy berry aromas that suggest
peanut butter. In the mouth, this is compact and
fairly full. Collapsed berry and plum flavors include
notes of gritty earthy spice, while this is blocky and
pounding on the finish. Opici Wines. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $15
86
Finca Patagonia 2015 Expedicion Syrah
(Maule Valley). Bright but basic plum, spice
and leather aromas are uncomplicated. This feels
grabby and rugged, with chewy tannins. Leafy redfruit
flavors offer a jammy side note, while this finishes
with dry, scouring tannins. Halby Marketing.
—M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $12
86
Santa Rita 2015 Reserva Syrah (Maipo Valley).
Spicy grassy aromas of catmint are
matched by unusual clove scents. A tough rubbery
palate is where you’ll find spicy blackberry and
green-herb flavors. Pulling tannins are the driving
force on this wine’s choppy clipped finish. Palm Bay
International. —M.S.
abv: 13.5% Price: $13
64 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017