On the Road with the Grape Guy
Chilean Wine Tasting 2024
04 Mar 2025- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(November 2024) … I have said much about Chilean wine on these pages of my website. It was my first real love in the wine world, mainly because it was wine I could afford easily and consistently when I was starting my wine education and cellar. Today, Chile still holds a special place in my heart; so when it is time for the annual Chilean Wine Fair I get excited to find out what great wines are coming from the long, thin, perfect-place-to-grow-grapes known as Chile; and what affordable gems will see my cellar (Or the video series).
(All wines in this report were tasted, but may not be available in Ontario)
Four Star Plus Wines
Montes 2020 Montes Wings 
($67.95 - #33354) – a Carmenere / Cabernet Franc blend that really impresses: silky smooth, slightly earthy, with blue and black fruit and hints of pencil shavings on the finish.
Montes 2021 Purple Angel
($109.95 - #62364) – always a killer bottle with a deep dark fruit core with acidity for balance. This is a great age-able wine.
Montgras 2022 Intriga by Montgras – Cabernet Sauvignon
($23.95 – n/a) – consistently a good bottle of wine, each time I get to try it I’m impressed, vintage-to-vintage; and it is still great value at under-$25. Lots of dark fruit with hints of spice.
Montgras 2022 Rare Grenacha Handcraft 6
(no price – n/a) – this wine really floated my boat cause I love a good Garnache. Easy, fresh and clean – pure raspberry with notes of red licorice; super pleasant with a drink-all-day-ness to it.
Perez Cruz 2023 Pircas – Cabernet Sauvignon
(no price – n/a) – silky and smooth; lots of vanilla, black cherry and all with a good acid punch.
Vina Vik 2020 VIK
($250.00 – n/a) – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc well-structured with tobacco, spice and dark fruit – quite elegant.
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Four Star Wines
Concha y Toro 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon – Marques de Casa Concha 
($19.95 - #337238) – lovely dark fruit with smoky and vanilla notes all wrapped up by good tannins structure.
Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay
($15.95 - #230565) – this Chard tastes premium, for a base model price: good acidity with lots of zip, zig and lemon pop.
Garces Silva 2022 Boya Cabernet Franc
($19.95 - #1162713) – fresh, clean and easy. A good fruit forward wine with notes of raspberry and strawberry. Not your average Cab Franc. Boo-ya.
Luis Felipe Edwards 2021 Marea Syrah
(no price - n/a) – silky and slightly meaty with a lovely black cherry seam on the mid-palate.
Montes 2022 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
($22.95 - #322586) – has always been a good value, and age-worthy bottle at the LCBO; this year it is a tasty mix of blackberry and mint.
Perez Cruz 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Piedra Seca – Cabernet Sauvignon
($22.95 - #36167) – a little floral and good fruit that leans mostly red dominant.
Vina Las Ninas 2022 Casa Bollen Carignan
($15.95 – n/a) – not available in Ontario, but if you can put your hand on a bottle I thoroughly recommend it. Fresh and fruit driven with notes of blue and black berry, black cherry and spice.
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Three-and-a-Half / Three-and-a-Half Plus Stars
(wine without a sku number my or may not be available at a later date or through an agent)
+ Carmen 2020 Delanz Cabernet Sauvignon Alto Jahuel ($29.95 - #41879)
Concha y Toro 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon – Reserva Privada ($19.95 - #570754)
+ Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier ($11.65 - #64287) 
Luis Felipe Edwards 2020 360 Cabernet Sauvignon (no price)
+ Luis Felipe Edwards 2020 Dona Bernarda Red Blend (no price)
+ Montgras 2022 Montgras ANTU – Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95)
Montgras 2022 Montgras Day One Cabernet Sauvignon ($15.75 - #35975)
+ Santa Carolina 2020 Reserve de Familia – Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95 – #408658)
+ TerrAustral 2020 Santa Isle Selected Vineyards ($19.95)
Vina Las Ninas NV Las Ninas Traditional Method Sparkling ($19.95)
+ Vina Las Ninas 2022 Organic Las Ninas Ella Syrah ($13.95)
+ Vina Vik 2022 VIK A Cabernet Sauvignon ($48.00)
+ Vina Vik 2021 Milla Cala ($100.00)
VSPT Wine Group 2022 Leyda Reserva – Pinot Noir ($16.00)
