Chile wines in the Flickinger Fine Wines inventory http://www.flickingerwines.com/wineregions/chilean.asp JS 96 (9/2014): A young red that shows dark and intense fruits overflowing from the glass with aromas that diffuses into spices, nuts and iron. Also dusty like the vineyards of Puente Alto on a hot summer's afternoon. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a gorgeous wet clay, currant and blackberry aftertaste. Very refined and pretty texture. Bordeaux blend. Better in 2017. VM 94 (6/2015): Dark purple. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, pipe tobacco, cedary oak and vanilla, along with smoke and floral topnotes. Smooth, broad, appealingly sweet blackcurrant and cherry flavors show outstanding depth and energy, with a suave spicecake note coming up with aeration. The smoke and floral notes resonate on a strikingly long, seamless finish that features fine-grained tannins and sappy dark fruit character. This flamboyantly aromatic wine was aged in 100% new French oak.WA 93 (12/2015): 2012 was particularly dry in Puente Alto, the main appellation in Maipo where the 2012 Almaviva was produced. There was two-thirds of the normal rain and an early season in all senses: bud breaking to harvest, although the end of the picking was delayed and the late-ripening varieties, Carménère and Cabernet, were picked at cooler temperatures. Being close to the Andes Mountains, the zone is always later than other zones like Colchagua. It kind of became normal with lower temperatures in April after a very warm March and things slowed down. The blend in 2012 was 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% /Merlot. The grapes are never pumped, and fermented in stainless steel vats with a total cuvaison of three to four weeks. The wine matured in 78% new French oak barrels for 19 months. As almost 90% of the grapes were picked at cooler temperatures, the wine does not really show in excess the heat of the vintage, certainly less than in other warm vintages in the past. There are notes of Mediterranean herbs and hints of tree bark over a core of ripe berries. The particularity of this terroir is to be able to achieve freshness because of its proximity to the mountains, and the ripening is slow. Winemaker Michel Friou tells me that 2012 is somehow similar to 2015, where the record temperatures in March were again surpassed. This 2012 is quite approachable, with its round and abundant tannins and soft acidity, flavors of ripe berries, good freshness and balance. This is less powerful and approachable than the 2011. 158,000 bottles produced. WS 92 (9/2015): An elegant and refined red, showing concentrated cherry and plum flavors that take on meaty accents. Savory notes cascade through the creamy and focused finish. Very Bordeaux-like. Drink now through 2020. 12,900 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/VinaAlmaviva.aspWS 96 (6/2008): Gorgeous aromas of warm ganache and mocha lead to a rich, velvety palate loaded with currant, fig paste, black licorice, cassis bush and bramble notes. The long, juicy finish has great grip and density, with echoes of graphite, dark fruit and mineral. Should greatly reward cellaring. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2019. 5,987 cases made.WA 91 (10/2008): The 2005 Clos Apalta Limited Release is composed of 42% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. Opaque purple-colored, the nose reveals notes of pain grille, mineral, spice box, and plummy black and blue fruits. This leads to a layered, nearly opulent wine with gobs of savory, spicy black fruits, excellent balance, and superb integration of oak, tannin, and acidity. It will evolve for 4-6 years and be at its best from 2013 to 2025.IWC 91 (4/2008): Inky violet. Vivacious raspberry and candied cherry aromas are strongly underscored by coconut and vanilla, which gain strength with air. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering an array of red and dark berry preserve flavors, soft tannins and sneaky minerality. Finishes long and with improbable energy for such a rich, concentrated and even liqueur-like wine. Not for those who demand finesse but fans of big-time Napa cabernet should give this a shot.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CasaLapostolle.aspWA 90 (12/2010): The 2008 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple color with aromas of wood smoke, pencil lead, scorched earth, violets, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Structured on the palate, but slightly clipped in the finish, another 2-3 years of bottle age could round it out but that is a gamble. Drink this Cabernet sooner rather than later.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/VinaMontes.aspWS 94 (11/2005): Gorgeous, racy and pure, with black cherry, black tea, mineral, espresso and sanguine notes running along finely stitched tannins and fresh acidity. Long, detailed finish echoes with cocoa and fruit. Delivers a lot without being bombastic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012. 3,400 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/VinaMontes.aspWS 94 (12/2012): A dark, ripe red, offering a rich core of plum sauce, cassis and kirsch notes offset by fine tannins and a focused line of savory tobacco, olive paste and spice box hints that lead to a long, smoky finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,200 cases imported.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/VinaMontes.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/VinaMontes.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Pangea.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Ventisquero.asp