Chile

This is a great value wine from Chile.  The name Escudo Rojo is a literal Spanish translation of the Rothschild name.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, with slight wintergreen and rosemary.  Classic Chilean Cabernet notes.  Full bodied with big fruit.  On the palate, the cassis comes thru along with smoke and some black cherries.  Firm tannins.  Some depth.  This may improve a bit, it needs a few more years to develop to reach peak, and should drink well for the next seven to ten years.  Hard to find a better Cab for under $20.  

This is 92% Carmenère with 8% Petit Verdot from Chile.  It is a very interesting blend.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, coffee, slight dark chocolate.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is big and on the wilder side.  Flavors of black cherries with underlying gravel and also some chocolate.  It is delicious but rough on the throat (not smooth).  Long finish.  It will interesting to watch this mature although for those who enjoy a bit of a wilder ride, it is probably best drunk over the next five to seven years.  It will smooth out with proper cellar

This is a higher end wine from Chile.  It took about an hour to start firing and then kept improving.  Very "new world".  It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.  The wine is deep ruby with a purple core.  On the nose, this is big with black cherries, tobacco, roasted herbs and slight dried cherry and dried floral notes.  Full bodied with medium tannins.  Big ripe/sweet fruit on the palate.  Cherries and black cherries.  There is a nice depth with tight layering.  An almost syrupy note.  Luckily, there is depth and good acidity to keep the

This was $20 locally but can be found for less in other parts of the world.  It took about 20 to 30 minutes to open up.  Deep ruby in color, lighter at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, bell pepper and very smoky.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Cherries turning slightly bitter on the finish.  A slight streak of Rosemary.  I don't drink a lot from Chile, but I am told that 2016 was a difficult vintage.  After the initial 20 minutes, this didn't change much.  It is a decent value for near term drinking.  It probably won't go more than five years.  A nice enough w

This is an excellent value in Cabernet Sauvignon.  There is some Cabernet Franc in the blend.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, slight coffee and slight cigar box.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with good acidity.  Black cherries over a bit of char and some dark chocolate.  Nice finish.  This drinks well right now on its own.  It will go well with a steak or burger.  It should be good for another five to seven years if well stored.  

This is an inexpensive Cabernet from Chile made by the same family who makes such great wines in Bordeaux, France.  This is a wine that is meant for people who like wine and don't want to spend a ton of money with a goal of finding something drinkable.  This meets that goal.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has some dusty black raspberries.  On the palate, this has black raspberry fruit.  It is a bit sweet.  Clean, short finish.  It presents a fine alternative on restaurant lists with high markups as well.  It is not meant to age.  It would be good with a burger or other grilled foods.  

This is a $10 Chardonnay from Chile.  It is hard to provide "Amazing" at this price point, but this wine is solid, easy drinking and fairly priced.  Yellow/green in color.  The nose has minerals and slight lemon fruit.  On the palate, this is easy drinking with low noticeable acidity.  More grapefruit than lemon on the palate.  Works great on its own especially for a large gathering.    

This is an inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc that retails for $10.  It is easy drinking and a nice value for that price.  it should be popular with the wine drinker who is looking for value and pleasure.  Pale Yellow/gold in color.  Nice grapefruit on the nose and palate.  Easy drinking.  Its not about depth as much as refreshment.  Slightly sweet on the finish.  

Always nice to try this flagship wine of Chile.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis, roasted herbs, and slight roasted meat.  On the palate, this is black cherries with underlying graphite.  The wine had been decanted for a few hours and needed every bit of it.  Medium tannins at that point.  It is deep and powerful but nicely balanced.  Long finish.  Went great with roasted eggplant and other veggies.  There may still be some upside but even if not, this is terrific now and should be at this level for at least another  decade.  

This is a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.  It retails for around $12.  The nose smells like geraniums.  On the palate, this is sweet with bell pepper.  This wine is flawed and should be avoided unless one tastes it first and likes it.