STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY
In April, James Suckling and his team took their fifth trip to Chile in three years to score nearly 800 wines. They found hundreds of outstanding vintages along with three perfect 100-pointers. From pinot noir and chardonnay, to syrah and carignan, Chile
CLOS APALTA VALLE DE COLCHAGUA 2014
An extremely aromatic and focused Clos Apalta with blackberry, blueberry, floral and hot-stone character. Full body, very linear and ultra-fine tannins. Focused and tight. Precise and long. This is the most polished and beautiful definition of this wine ever. You want to drink it now but better in 2020. A blend of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. 100 points
SEÑA VALLE DE ACONCAGUA 2015
Stunning aromas of blackcurrant, stone, blueberry and liquorice. Also iodine. Floral. Perfumed. Full body, fantastic density of fruit and ripe tannins. It goes on for minutes on the palate with such energy and focus. Touch of chewiness on the finish. A complex and complete wine that delivers a generosity with firmness. Drink in 2021 but already a classic. 100 points
ALMAVIVA PUENTE ALTO 2015
A glorious and complex nose of tobacco and blackberry with hints of stone, flowers and bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, very tight and compact. Linear backbone gives this form and tension. It has the same character on the palate, as well as cayenne and other spices. Loved the 2014 but this shows more fine-grained tannins. So balanced and harmonious. A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Needs four or five years in the bottle but a joy to taste now. 100 points
ERRÁZURIZ PINOT NOIR ACONCAGUA COSTA LAS PIZARRAS 2016
Superb mineral, stone, slate and violet aromas. Full body, dense and silky texture. So much beautiful fruit yet so reserved and refined. Layered and complete. Fantastic acidity at the finish. Iron, iodine and oyster. Long finish. Superb follow-up to the 2015. Drink or hold. 99 points
RITUAL CHARDONNAY VALLE DE CASABLANCA SUPERTUGA BLOCK 2016
This is a phenomenal chardonnay with light bread dough, cooked apple and pear aromas. Full-bodied, seamless white with earth and subtle ripe apple and pineapple. Fantastic length and beauty. 500 cases made. Screw cap. 97 points
VIÑEDO CHADWICK CABERNET SAUVIGNON VALLE DE MAIPO 2015
Very deep and primary fruit character gives this wine amazing length and focus. It seems to go on forever. Full body yet vivid and energetic. Tannic and muscular yet so polished and refined. Drink now. But one for the cellar as well. 99 points
HACIENDA ARAUCANO CARMÉNÈRE VALLE DE COLCHAGUA ALKA 2015
Blackberry and dark chocolate with hints of spice. Dried meat. Full body, juicy and layered. Wild wine. So much going on here. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now or hold. 96 points
CONCHA Y TORO CABERNET SAUVIGNON PUENTE ALTO DON MELCHOR 2014
Wonderful aromas of stone, mint and blackcurrant. Sweet tobacco. Tile and rust. So aromatic. This is the best Don Melchor I have ever tasted. Full body, very soft yet firm and silky. It has tension, intensity and balance. Drink or hold. 98 points
GARCIA + SCHWADERER GRENACHE VALLE DE ITATA PIEDRA LISA VINEYARD 2015
A linear and fine red with lovely fruit that has cherry, raspberry and floral character. Chewy tannins and wild finish. Builds on the palate. Love this always. From grafted, 120-yearold vines. 96 points
MONTES VALLE DE COLCHAGUA ALPHA M 2014
The greatest M ever made. It continues the legend of the great 2014 vintage. Fullbodied, compacted and powerful. Tight and chewy. It starts slowly and builds. Superb. Drink in 2022 but already a joy to taste. 98 points