Our recent Top 100 Best Buys (wines for $15 or less), Top 100 Cellar Selections (cellar-worthy and highly rated collectibles) and The Enthusiast 100 (weekend wines, restaurant purchases and special occasion wines) all featured South American wines prominently – a testament to the quality coming out of the diverse and unique wineries in Argentina and Chile.
Now we’re releasing a Top 100 list exclusively for South American Wines. So whether you’re a fan of Malbec, wines from the Mendoza Province, or Chilean Cabernet, this list should point you in the right direction.
Tempus Alba 2008 Malbec (Mendoza)
- $20
Begins in chunky, jammy fashion but soon it finds a classier groove. The berry aromas are big and inviting, while the palate is smooth, cushioned and deep, with standard but attractive berry and black plum flavors. Long on the finish, with the sum exceeding each part.
— M.S.
(5/1/2011)
Susana Balbo 2009 Signature Malbec (Mendoza)
- $25
Heavily charred and roasted throughout, with a blackened nose. The palate is broad and chewy, with thick tannins and roasted, ripe flavors of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Remains severely toasted all the way to the final drop; aged in 80% new French oak (apparently fully toasted oak).
— M.S.
(11/1/2011)
Santa Helena 2008 DON Red (Colchagua Valley)
- $75
Aromatics of dill and vanilla are straight from the Old World, but otherwise this is modern and flush. Aromas of cedar and wood resin are also present in front of a tannic, roasted palate that features soft berry fruit, cola and medicinal flavors. Ripe, big and sweet; starts like Rioja and finishes like classic Chilean Cabernet; includes 17% Merlot and Carmenère.
— M.S.
(4/1/2011)
Salentein 2009 Reserve Malbec (Mendoza)
- $19
Smells ripe and friendly, sort of like a jelly doughnut. The palate is creamy, dense and balanced, with saturated berry and spice flavors. Very smooth and integrated overall, and while it’s definitely dark and ripe it’s also popping with freshness. A complete wine at every turn.
— M.S.
(12/31/2011)
Ricominciare 2008 Altísimo Malbec (Uco Valley)
- $30
An exotic style of Malbec with Middle Eastern spice, violet, anise and berry aromas. The palate has hammering tannins but enough body to absorb it, leaving herbal black fruit, fig and peppery flavors. Warm and toasty on the finish, with savory notes that last for a good long while.
— M.S.
(11/1/2011)
Proemio 2006 Barrel Selection Red Wine (Mendoza)
- $53
Red berry aromas with spice and licorice shadings make for a good opening. The wine smacks down hard on the palate, creating a clacky feel to go with plum, berry, herb and spice flavors. Serious and full, with juiciness, grabby tannins and a toasty coffee-laden finish. Malbec, Syrah and Merlot.
— M.S.
(11/1/2011)
Polkura 2007 Block G+I Syrah (Colchagua Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $40
A small-production, artisan Syrah with a smoky, lush nose that unveils raisin and prune as it unfolds. The palate is saturated and jammy, with a layered, tannic mouthfeel and big berry, herb and oak flavors. Finishes with size, pepper and dark spice flavors. 250 cases made.
— M.S.
(9/1/2011)
Pascual Toso 2008 Alta Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards Malbec (Maipú)
- $35
Slightly dry and scratchy on the nose, and definitely fully oaked in the Toso style. But once it settles deeper, black fruit notes escape. The palate is snappy and juicy due to 2008’s cool harvest conditions, and the flavors are a mix of plum, berry and woodiness. Long and oaky on the finish; drink now through 2013.
— M.S.
(5/1/2011)
Pargua 2007 Anka Pargua II Red (Maipo Valley)
- $20
Toasty and solid on the nose, with hints of mineral, dark spice, black olive and cassis. It’s structured but a little rich and sticky, with sweet berry and cassis flavors along with brown sugar on the finish. A blend of six grapes that’s easygoing and generous. Drink now through 2013.
— M.S.
(7/1/2011)
MontGras 2009 Quatro Red (Colchagua Valley)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $15
Sweet and smoky on the nose, with prune, hickory and spice aromas that come together well. The palate on this four-grape blend is saturated and meaty, while the flavors of blackberry, coffee and dark plum are lush and finish with toast and spice. Always one of Chile’s best values; an overperformer year after year.
— M.S.
(9/1/2011)
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