Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Carmenere

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From vineyards in the Colchagua zone, this has ripe red fruits and herbs in a light body with rich acidity. For shepherd's pie.

Ripe blackberry and dark plum aromas come with accents of pepper and green herbs. The palate feel is a touch rough, while black cherry and plum flavors are backed by oaky char and coffee notes. A dry and direct finish with lasting herbal notes closes this out. Michael Schachner

Although the oak is felt up front (it was aged for a year in barrels, 10% new) the red fruits and herbal notes have their own little party behind that curtain of toasted aromas. The fruity and varietal side is much more perceptible on the palate with a pronounced emphasis on herbal aromas and a piercing yet fine texture. Ready now for pizza.

This is a blend of different carménères that Santa Rita has in the Colchagua Valley, from old vines in Apalta to younger vineyards in Marchigüe, in the western part of the valley. This red is closely related to the new wave of carménères being produced in Chile today and that are focused on freshness, fruit, and the variety’s characteristic herbal notes. This red is brilliantly fresh, juicy, and tense at the same time. Santa Rita’s Floresta was a pioneer in this new vision of the variety, and this is the direct offspring of that wine.

Berry, plum and spice flavors are common to the grape variety, while this feels full and saturated. Spiced berry and lightly stewed plum flavors finish with density and body. For a hot early harvest vintage like 2017, this is complex and stylish. Michael Schachner

Black-cherry, dark plum and raspberry aromas are spicy, dry and earthy. On the palate, this displays ripeness and heft but also jammy, spongy weight. Slightly baked black-fruit and spice flavors reflect a warm vintage, while this is pillowy soft on the finish. Michael Schachner

Reds from Marchigüe in general, and carménères in particular, seem to live in a world of their own in Colchagua, especially in terms of structure and texture. While elsewhere in the valley, where there’s more clay, the tannins are smooth and broad, there on those granitic soils they become severe and austere. This one has that quality—that severity—that, fruit flavors notwithstanding, makes it a serious wine, serious enough for steak.

From different vineyards in Colchagua, this is a lush carménère with chocolatey flavors, smooth texture, and a warm sensation that will take the chill off cold winter days.

This Marchigüe vineyard, with its volcanic soils and abundant gravel, is one of the main sources of Santa Rita carménère. And the style of wines it provides, especially in terms of texture, is summarized very well in this carménère with black-fruit flavors and sharp, grainy tannins. It’s ripe, yet balanced by firm acidity and a penetrating texture.

Plum and berry aromas show a touch of varietal green. In the mouth, this wine is a bit jammy as well as dense. Woody, herbal blackberry flavors are satisfying. It stays firm and balanced across a ripe finish that includes a touch of resiny oak.

A flat bouquet smells mostly of root beer, grass and herbal black fruits. This is chunky and lacking a central point of reference. Rooty, creamy, oaky flavors taste a lot like vanilla or a root beer float, while oak and caramel flavors control a finish that lacks drive.

(2016) Quite shy aromatically, with tight, quite sinewy black fruit and tight tannins and acidity, this has real grip and is a serious Carmenere, perhaps a touch drier and less fruity than it could be, but has the umami meatiness and a good core of fruit

Heady, oaky, pushy aromas of green-leaning red-berry fruits and coffee grinds are earthy and strong. This is concentrated in the mouth, and also pasty and resiny in feel. Flavors of lactic oak, cardamom and blackberry finish with vanilla sweetness and a lasting wave of wood.

Big, burly, medicinal aromas get it going, and there's no shortage of creamy, spicy oak as well. Good mouthfeel and enough clarity of fruit override the wine's sweet, oaked-up side, and the finish is dry, a touch leafy and drives home the fact that this is authentic Chilean Carmenère.

(2010) Colchagua. 85% from Marchigue, 15% from Apalta. 10 months in French oak. Big, plush, inviting nose of blueberry and black plum, but there's a delightful cedary, slightly peppery and herbal quality that is lovely. The palate has terrific fruit - velvety and lush, with a deep pool of black berries. The tannins are very supple and chocolaty, with lots of coffee and cream, the smooth spice of the oak adding to the opulent impression. A really delightful and very crowd-pleasing style, but done with panache.

The Medalla Real line now includes Carmenère. And this first effort is excellent. It has licorice, mint and ripe, balanced black fruit in all places, including the nose, mouth and finish. Around the edges, accents of cola, chocolate, olive and leather only add to its authenticity. Drink now into 2011.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.