Top Chilean wines to drink now

Such ‘wow’ factor from the 2015 Montes Folly. The grapes are dry-farmed from an exceptionally steep single vineyard in Colchagua, and this never fails to impress. It's purple hued from rim to core, steadfastly opaque. Intense blueberry and blackberry aromas unfurl from the glass, while the dense, fruit-laden palate exhibits pepper, juniper, bilberries and kirsch, providing a long, hedonistic finish. 24 months ageing in new French oak has been completely subsumed by the welter of ripe, full fruit, lusciously upholstered with sleek, glistening tannins and life-giving acidity. Magnificently compelling.

If the 1984 was a pre-Parker wine, this is its 'post-Parker' incarnation. Winemaker Francisco Baettig has fashioned a really super-fresh, drinkable and elegant 2015 Don Max from what was a cooler vintage. It has beautifully delineated cassis and blackberry coulis fruit with a touch of cream on the mid-palate, but this is all about the gorgeously focussed fruit in combination with fine-grained tannins and lively, balanced acidity. There's lots of lift, sophistication and pleasure on offer here now, and for many years to come.

This is the result of the Silva family’s exacting search for terroir expression in its Los Lingues Vineyard in Colchagua. The micro-plots are carefully selected parcels of Carmenere fruit, which provide a distinctive smoky, spicy character to the wine. This 2011 still has some puppy fat to shed but is developing nicely, with generous black fruits and a savoury tapenade finish. Lovely ripeness, depth and length.

This top class single-vineyard Cabernet from the Alto Maipo Valley announces itself with a powerfully intense cassis nose. The palate is refined and full with rich, spicy blackberry and blackcurrant fruit and an umami, tar and bitumen finish. Sleek, fulsome tannins and elegant acidity provide plenty of structure. It's good now but will also age well.

Based in the Cachapoal Valley, La Rosa is one of the oldest family owned wineries in Chile. This is their impressive flagship wine, which is certainly flourishing at just over ten years of age. Ripe yet fresh, this exhibits generous black and red fruits, leather and a savoury black olive core. Well structured with round tannins and a mouthfilling texture, this is good now, but still has some way to go.

This is seriously enjoyable with ripely textured blue and black fruits comprising morello cherry and blackberry, with a savoury, charred-meat finish. Vivid, vital and expressive, it shows great harmony and a long finish, and is drinking very well now with little concession to its age. Will improve for some years yet.

VIK is a boutique family operation in the Cachapoal Valley that produces seriously well made and enjoyable wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere blend - with a dash of Merlot and Syrah - is a prime example. Remarkably, this was also their first vintage. Having been aged in French barriques for 24 months, this is full, ripe and rich without being overwrought. The interplay of dark plum and blueberry fruits with notes of camphor and fennel seed is both seductive and compelling.

Originally from Bordeaux, Carmenère has made a new home in Chile. Full-bodied, with dark fruit, evident tannins, beautifully integrated wood, plus a slight (positive) green character. A lovely alternative to Cabernet.

A bright, youthful colour in the glass, this is impressive on the nose with floral notes and primary red fruits vying for attention. In the mouth it has good acidity, with gentle, coaxing tannins that frame the charming raspberry and cherry fruit, leading to a savoury, earthy finish. A proper Pinot Noir.

Superbly crafted Carmenere with a smidgeon of Malbec (3%), this comes from a selection of Viu Manent’s top vineyards in Colchagua. At six years of age, this is just starting to show some bottle age complexity in the form of undergrowth, tree bark and leather. But for now, the primary blackberry and pepper notes dominate the palate. Sweet, round tannins and supple acidity provide balance and texture, while the finish is persistent and savoury.

This was the first vintage of Don Max to be released and, 40 years on, it remains fresh and nuanced, with a broody smoky edge adding depth and complexity. Filigreed, detailed nose, with savoury complexity over a thick layer of dried black fruit. Notes of prune, dried fig, red apple peel and intense cassis mingle playfully. The palate retains incredible freshness and definition, with chocolate, tobacco leaf and mocha over prune, dried black olives and cocoa nibs. Tannins are velvety and fine-grained yet assertive, supporting the long refreshing finish. Drinking beautifully.