Alistair Cooper MW’s picks from Colchagua

Estampa, DelViento Syrah Rosé, Paredones 2017 90

£ 17 Seckford Agencies Very pale salmon pink, with enticing and subtle red fruit aromas. Firm and racy acidity on the palate, with a beautiful hint of pepper and cinnamon spice over mulberry fruit. This is a very elegant style of rosé.

Drink 2018-2021 Alcohol 12%

Clos Apalta, Apalta 2015 95 £85-£95 Berkmann Wine Cellars, Laithwaite’s

Intense aromas of baked earth, liquorice, spice, cassis and blueberry. Tightly wound, rich palate which is sleek, polished and shows fine- grained tannins. This opulent and dense wine has polished oaking and a focused finish. Drink 2018-2030 Alc 15%

Beso Negro, El Decadente, Peralillo

2015 93

N/A UK www. besonegrowines.com A full-throttle blend of 63% Carmenère, 28% Petit Verdot and 9% Petite Sirah. A seductive nose of tobacco spice, graphite and Chinese five spice. The palate brims with dark fruits and freshly ground coffee, underpinned by soft, rounded chalky tannins. The 14.5% alcohol is very well integrated. A classy and hedonistic wine.

Drink 2018-2023 Alc 14.5%

Clos Santa Ana, Aralez, Peralillo 2015 93

N/A UK clossantaana@gmail.com A very attractive nose, with pure aromas of cedar spice, damp tobacco and a subtle hint of pyrazine. The ripe, dark fruits on the palate have a wonderful cooling feel to them, backed by lively acidity and rounded tannins. A full-bodied but effortlessly elegant wine. Drink 2018-2023 Alc 14%

Fanoa, Seis Tintos, Palmilla 2016 93

N/A UK raulnarvaez@fanoa.com A blend of six grapes. Pure graphite, cassis and bramble fruit aromas. Medium-bodied, seductive and soft, with fine powdery tannins. Excellent spice, with real minerality and a long finish. A great first effort from this new biodynamic

winery. Drink 2018-2022 Alc 13.5%

Javiera Ortúzar, Después de la Lluvia 2016 92

N/A UK www.facebook.com/ javieraortuzarwines A delightfully refreshing, light and fresh blend of Petit Verdot, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, from this energetic young producer. Vibrant and juicy style, with a lifted nose that has hints of leather, spice and iodine. Tight tannins and lively, zippy acidity from the Carignan really shine through here. Drink 2018-2021 Alc 12.5%

Lugarejo, Merlot, Peralillo

2016 92

N/A UK contacto@lugarejo.cl Wild berries and strawberry aromas dominate the beautifully perfumed nose. Meanwhile the palate is marked by floral notes, a crunchy texture and some lively acidity. This is a really juicy, soft and mouthwatering Merlot, with a smattering of vanilla to finish. Drink 2018-2021 Alc 12.3%

Ventisquero, Pangea, Apalta 2013 92

£40 Kingsland Wines Made with Australian consultant John Duval. Tight nose of black fruits, plums and blueberries. A dense core of fig, Christmas cake spices and dark chocolate, with chewy, rounded tannins. Still young, this will improve over the coming years. Drink 2018-2028 Alc 14%

Villalobos, Carignan Reserva, Lolol 2014 92

£ 22-£ 24 Exel, Joseph Barnes, Caves de Pyrene From a wild, uncultivated vineyard, this is purity in a glass! Stunning floral nose of

roses and violets, followed by a fresh and mouthwateringly juicy palate that’s led by vibrant dark fruit. Drink 2018-2021 Alc 12.5%

Viu Manent, Viu 1 2013 92

Hedonism, Louis Latour, Saxtys Wine £ Cigar nose, brooding 59 along box and and with dark dried a dash palate fig aromas of shows violets. on forest The the fruits and boasts wonderfully fine tannins. This is a big powerful wine, with perfectly judged acidity and a lingering finish. Tightly wound at the moment, with many years of life left ahead of it. Drink 2018-2028 Alc 13.5%

Lapostolle, Collection Petit Verdot, Apalta 2015 91

£ 20 Berkmann Wine Cellars Deep graphite aromas, dark plum and mulberry with a hint of violet. Dense mouthfeel, with lifted balsamic notes and superbly sculpted fine tannins. Excellent acidity keeps this crackling along. Supreme Petit Verdot! Drink 2018-2022 Alc 14.5%

Montes, Outer Limits Wild Slopes, Apalta 2016 90

£ 20-£ 22 Exel Wines, Liberty Wines, The Wine Reserve, Waitrose Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Wild dark fruit and spice dominates the lively nose. There’s a rounded mouthfeel on the palate, along with zippy acidity and soft, textured tannins. A lovely liquorice and red fruit finish. Drink 2018-2022 Alc 14.5%