South American old-vine reds: Panel tasting results

Monk Cinsault is part of soils scientist-winemaker Parra’s jazz musician-inspired series. The vines are on silty red granite-based soils. A mixture of crushed fruit and...

The Crazy Rows project was born of the desire to revitalise heritage vines and varieties in Chile. Carignan is one of four varieties grown for...

Fruit from the high-altitude, free-draining family vineyards of Nicasia and Angélica, 60% from the former. Fermentation in 100% new French oak barrels using wild yeasts,...

Longaví was founded in 2012 as a partnership between Julio Bouchon and David Nieuwoudt. This wine is sourced from bush vines on granite-based soils with...

Grapes from four growers around Guarilihue, the vines 70-80 years old on granite soils on the upper part of the slopes. In among the Cinsault...

Matías Riccitelli chose a 20ha site of ungrafted old vines at 1,100m in Las Compuertas to set up his own boutique winery in 2009, focusing...

From old-vine Carmenère on permeable granite soils, harvested by hand with the fruit mostly destemmed apart from 5% whole bunches. Fermentation takes place spontaneously at...

Vigno is a collaborative project that centres on the dry-grown, old-vine Carignan found in Maule. Undurraga’s 2020 from Sauzal is 92% Carignan and 8% Cinsault,...

Deep and opulent nose, dark fruits, violet and cocoa. On the palate it is ripe, juicy and sophisticated with refined tannins. Complex and long. Structured.

An attractive savoury earthy note alongside toasty oak, dark cassis and forest fruits. Great intensity and concentration allied with firm structure and good acid. Plush,...

Pure, precise and classy wine displaying promising aromas of red fruits and a blueberry compote nose. Compact, powerful with excellent concentration of fruit and sophisticated...

Youthful and attractive aromas of dark fruits, cedar and leafy notes.Subtle herbal and soy underpin ripe blackcurrant, mouth filling and juicy. Great concentration of fruit...

It boasts ripe dark fruits, chocolate, herbs and spice on the nose. Juicy and floral notes on the plate - fresh and vibrant in style....

A floral note mingles with blueberry and mint. Lots of oak here but it works very well in combination with the structured dark fruit. Reminiscent...

Defined and focused including notes of dark fruits of the forest, liquorice and a hint of spice. The palate has firm and chalky tannins, good...

Very attractive nose of crushed violets, smoky notes and graphite. A lovely juicy burst of cherry-plum on the mid-palate. Rich texture yet with zippy freshness...

Floral notes combine with vanilla, cocoa, graphite and spice. On the palate it is ripe, juicy, overt with intense fruit and delicious savoury complexity.

Harmonious, seamless. Perfectly ripe fruit such as blackberries and dark cherries underpinned by ripe round tannins and harmonious freshness.

Restrained with subdued aromas of dark fruits and meaty with some spice. A sleek palette with sandy tannins, great concentration of fruit and a smoky...

Chocolate, dark fruits, spice and leather on the nose. Wonderful high contrast between big, brawny structural framework and some cassis and graphite tones. Lots of...

Wild strawberry and cassis nose. Packed full of fruit, dark cherry, strawberry and a bitter orange note with good freshness. Cocoa notes on the long...

Forest fruits, crushed blueberry and cassis. Fine chalky tannins. Good seam of dark berry sappy juiciness and crunch. Weighty but well balanced.

Ripe and high-toned forest fruit compote. Sophisticated and inviting on the palate, excellent concentration of fruit, superb refined structure. Great energy here and a layered...

Pure dark fruit nose, crushed blueberry, liquorice and thyme.Very good concentration of fruit and remarkable savoury complexity. Brooding with life on the finish.

Intriguing nose of dried rose, cranberry, cherry, smoked game and bilton nose. On the palate it is generous, ripe, juicy with silky tannins, balancing freshness...

Developing showing leafy cedar and cigar tobacco notes. On the palate it is sturdy and firm despite its age. Cherry-ish fruit and brightness with a...

Still youthful on the nose, dark fruit led. A juicy big mouthful of fruit that carries the oak very well to the tangy finish. It...

Bright blueberry juice with a sprinkling of vanilla, cassis, leafy and floral notes. Soft mouthfeel with fine tannins, rich palate and moderate acidity, silky and...

The nose shows dark fruits, cocoa nib and savoury meaty notes. Powerful and well structured, tannin and acidity in full effect. Full of energy with...

Herbal notes, white pepper, cedar and damp earth. Zippy freshness with sturdy tannins and a chalky mouthfeel.

High-toned strawberry and violets. Chewy tannins and good fruit character, has an interesting textural density but with good freshness too. It will benefit from time...

Packed full of vibrant fruit, plum, blackberry and tar. Exceptional concentration of fruit and sophisticated tannins. Oak and spice but lots of juicy curranty fruit.

A classic among Chilean Bordeaux blends, Triple C is a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc with Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley, which...

On the nose it is earth, cedary, balsamic and complex. Cool minty palette with dark fruits, very fine tannic structure and a lovely bright densely...

Exciting and overt style with lots of ripe dark fruits and intense notes of sweet spices. Very meaty palate, good grip and weight and a...

Bright and engaging plum, cherry, cedar and pencil lead on the nose. On the palate it has good concentration and attractive savoury complexity. A layered...

Developed, complex and inviting displaying notes of dark fruits, wet earth, cocoa powder, dried herbs, leather and spices. Well balanced palate with layered fruit and...

Lovely nose, savoury and herbal as well as bright and floral. A streak of violet and a lovely juicy burst of cherry-plum on the mid-palate....

Classy and seductive showing notes of ripe dark fruits, chocolate, dried herbs and sweet spices. Soft palate, good fruit and rounded tannins. Great freshness and...

Very soft fruit, it’s like a punnet of strawberries and raspberries. On the palate it is subtle, sophisticated, round and silky with a long finish....

Interesting wine combining attractive dark fruits and leathery and earthy complexity. Chewy tannins and a dense palate, liquorice and spice. A cooling eucalypt note on...

Rosehip, marjoram and red fruits dominate the nose. On the palate it is pleasant and simple with attractive fruit and well balanced freshness. Sappy tannins....

Good fruit on the nose, plum dark fruit and cocoa. On the palate it has notes of sour cherries and bitter chocolate. It’s big and...

Ripe nose of blackcurrant, chocolate, cedar wood and spice. Lush and full but with bite, definition and a eucalypt finish.

Blue fruit, earthy notes and spice. Juicy and very seductive palate with freshness and lithe tannins. Bright finish.

Liquorice root, dark cherry and spice. High-toned and energetic. Crunchy, wild and firm style of Cinsault with noticeable tannins, crisp acidity and buckets of ripe...

Refined, attractive with aromas of red fruits, floral and citrus peel. Young, but has good depth of fruit, well balanced alcohol and fine tannins.

Opaque colour, attractive and youthful with notes of brambly fruit, cassis, kirsch. Good freshness and a dense chewy palate with sweet oak on the finish.

Invigorating, vivid aromas of wild forest fruits, dried herbs, and spice. On the palate it is generous, well balanced with a long finish.

Beguiling nose! Dark fruits,slight smoky earthy damp earth notes. On the palate it is vibrant and fresh with firm tannins and lively acidity. Lots to...

Lifted aromatics, some red fruit notes as well as cocoa, biltong and cedar. Enjoyably developed savoury tones and mature fruit.

Delicately scented including aromas of red forest fruits and floral notes. Vibrant cherry-ish acidity, gentle chalky tannins and a nice herbal and peppery twang on...

Intriguing, complex and seductive aromas of dark fruits, leather, cedar, wet earth, dried herbs and spice. Meaty palate with some salted smoky bacon and a...

Generous but complex nose, lots of vibrant dark berry fruit, dried leaves and earthy notes. A wild palate with savoury notes, sophisticated tannins and vibrant...

Graceful, restrained and elegant aromas of red and dark forest fruits as well as delicate floral notes. Lovely sweep of juicy fruit and fine tannins...

Attractive nose of raspberry with some floral elements. Well structured, sturdy, firm but sophisticated.

Very dark, opaque; smells like freshly squeezed black cherry or blackberry juice. On the palate it is dense, overt, ripe, round and juicy.

Aromas of ripe dark fruits, chocolate and a hint of sweet spices. On the palate it is bursting with sweet juicy fruit, firm sophisticated tannins...

Restrained, slightly earthy on the nose. Concentration with a crunchy freshness a little tight on the palate but with lively, creamy raspberry fruit and a...

Restrained notes of cherries, blackberries and a hint of floral notes. Languedoc-like aniseed edge. On the palate it is firm and grippy with tart acidity...

Aromas are attractive and inviting including ripe dark fruits and a pleasant vegetal character. Earthy and meaty palate with firm tannins and very bright acidity,...

Expressive fruit nose, blue fruits, cassis. It combined lovely juicy fruit with complex savoury notes. Great example of Cabernet from Salta that is ageing gracefully.

Aromatic, very attractive Campari-like melange of herb and bitter red fruit on the nose. The palate is firm and with granular tannins, good freshness and...

Quite restrained at present with delicate notes of violet, red and dark fruits. Chewy palate with quite prominent cedary oak character and crisp acidity on...

Developing nose of tobacco leaf and blackberry. Well-integrated oak on bright fruit, luxurious and velvety tannins.

Hints of dark fruits, chocolate, spice. Densely packed with firm, forceful tannins and a great burst of acidity. Cocoa nibs and kirsch on the finish.

Graceful and attractive aromas of blackberries, cassis, tobacco, garrigue and violets. Vivid fruits with a firm tannic backbone and fresh acidity. Young and still evolving...

Classy and seductive displaying notes of dark cherries, blackberries and cassis. Something Pinot-ish about it. Wonderfully round and harmonious with silky tannins and vivid freshness.

Very big and ripe with intense dark fruits, dark chocolate, bacon and spice. Lovely freshness, attractive rounded tannins. Big, broad and powerful wine.

Bright cherry, leather and cranberry. That intensity of fruit is modulated by the wonderfully vibrant cherry acidity and the attractively sandy tannins. Sleek and polished,...

Ripe and full, a blockbuster with intense dark fruits, chocolate and sweet spices. Dense palate with rich textured fruit, warming alcohol but well balanced by...

Promising, elegant and refined nose including blackberries, blueberries and spice. Creamy and rich. Moderate acidity, chewy tannins, excellent purity and great length.

Very deep colour. Fragrant with notes of cassis, blueberries and menthol. On the palate it is full bodied, very juicy, vibrant and vivid with firm...

Uplifting, inviting aromas of ripe cherries, mint, basil and succulent blackberry. Lovely brightness and energy to the flow of juicy fruit; a touch of earthiness...

On the nose it shows notes of brambley fruits, dried figs, and spice. Rich, powerful, shows good fruit eternity and a very firm structure, should...

Promising nose with aromas of forest fruits, black cherry and dried herbs. Excellent fruit, firm tannins, harmonious acidity. Juicy finish.

In Curicó, Central Valley, the warm climate of the Punto de Rosa vineyard moulds the character of this complex Cabernet Franc, which features ripe cherry...