Best Chilean Wines

What’s the best Chilean wine?  Well, as you know wine tasting is a very subjective thing, and there are way too many wines that can fit the criteria depending on who you ask.

The following compilation of Chilean wines, is a list which consists of some of the more “numerously” prized Chilean wines in the last couple of years or iconic Chilean wines if you will.  This list is in an ongoing state of being updated.  Check back frequently for updates, or subscribe to Chilean Wine.com to get new updates in your in-box.  What Chilean wines do you think should be on this list?

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Agustinos Gran Reserva 2007 Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir and is harvested from the Bio Bio valley.  One of Chile’s southernmost wine producing regions.  This Pinot Noir undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged in French Oak barrels

  • 2009 Sommelier Wine Awards
  • 2009 International Wine Challenge – Silver
  • 2009 Wines of Chile – Silver
  • Decanter World Wine Awards – Silver

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Almaviva
This Chilean blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Camenere, and Cabernet Franc has had some very successful vintages.  It hails from Chile’s Maipo valley.

What the critics say:

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “The 2006 Almaviva continues a series of successful vintages for this Chilean icon. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits an expressive bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Elegantly styled and impeccably balanced, it will evolve for several more years and drink well through 2021 at the least.”

  • Wine Spectator – 93 points – 2006
  • Robert Parker – 92 points – 2006
  • International Wine Cellar – 93 points

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Anakena ONA Syrah

Anakena’s ONA line of premium wines has been garnering praise in the last few years.  The ONA Syrah originates from Chile’s Rapel Valley.  It spends 10 months in French Oak barrels.

  • Wines of Chile Awards 2010 – Silver  - 2007 Syrah
  • 2010 Mondiales des Vines Canada – Gold – 2007 Syrah
  • 2009 Challenge Internacional Du Vin – Silver -2007 Syrah

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Antiyal and Kuyen
Both of these Chilean wine blends by renown Chilean wine maker Alvaro Espinoza originate from Antiyal’s Maipo vineyard.  For the last several years these two blends have been getting raves and high points from critics worldwide.

  • International Wine Cellar 92 points – 2007 Antiyal
  • International Wine Cellar 91 points – 2007 Kuyen
  • Wine & Spirits Magazine 91 points – 2007 Antiyal
  • Robert Parker 92 points – 2005 Antiyal
  • Robert Parker 90 points – 2005 Kuyen

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Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005

Both vintage 2005 and 2006 have won plenty of praise.  This Chilean red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, and Petit Verdot.  In 2008, Wine Spectator magazine named the 2005 Clos Apalta, its Wine of the Year.

  • Wine and Spirits 94 points
  • Wine Enthusiast 94 points
  • Wine Spectator 96 points
  • International Wine Cellar 91 points

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Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon
Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor has consitently been rated one of Chile’s best wines.  Years 2005, and 2006 are currently available and are well scored.  This is a big and bold Cab from Chile’s Maipo Valley.  Don Melchor has been one of Chile’s most highly awarded wines year after year.

  • Wine Spectator – 96 points
  • Robert Parker Wine Advocate -94 points
  • Wine Enthusiast – 94 points

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Concha y Toro Terrunyo 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

C&T has had several winning years with this wine.  Vintages 2006 and 2007 have also scored well.  Here’s what Wine Enthusiast says about the 2005 vintage.  ”This pedigreed Chilean Cab settles with airing and soon shows exciting, fully ripe raspberry, cassis and blackberry flavors.  The mouthfeel is perfectly cushioned yet intense, and the finish is ripe, smooth and composed.”

  • Wine & Spirits 93 poins
  • Wine Enthusiast Magazine  92 points
  • Robert Parker 91 points
  • Wine Spectator 91 points

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Concha y Toro Carmín de Peumo 2005 Carmenere

This maybe Chile’s most highly scored Carmenere.  Here is some of what Robert Parker says about this wine: “The Carmin de Peumo is the winery flagship and a candidate for Chile’s finest wine.”

  • Wine & Spirits 96 points
  • Robert Parker 97 points
  • Wine Spectator 94 points

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Errazuriz Don Maximiano 2006
This blend has bringing in plenty of 90+ points for its 2005, 2006, and now its 2007 vintages.  It is a blend consisting of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Shiraz.  All sourced from the company’s Aconcagua valley vineyards.

  • International Wine Cellar 92 points
  • Wine Enthusiast Magazine 91 points
  • Robert Parker 94 points
  • Wine Spectator 91 points

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Montes 2005 Purple Angel

Purple Angel is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot from the Colchagua Valley.  Of this, half of the Carmenère comes from Montes’ La Finca de Apalta estate, bringing sophistication and elegance (the Petit Verdot also comes from this vineyard). The other half of the Carmenère comes from Montes’ Archangel estate in Marchigue, adding potency and strength.

What the critics say:

  • The Wine News 92 points
  • Wine Enthusiast Magazine 91 points
  • Robert Parker 92 points
  • Wine Spectator 91 points

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Vina San Pedro  1865 Limited Edition 2007 Syrah
Surprising entry from Chile’s northern valley of Elqui.

  • Decanter – 5 Stars
  • Wine Spectator – 90 points
  • Wine Enthusiast – 90 points