2010 Antiyal Valle del Maipo, Alvaro Espinoza

The 2010 Antiyal is a blend of 47% Carmenere, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Syrah. It has a very well defined bouquet with blackberry leaf, crushed stone, and limestone. This is very expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with super-fine tannins. It is very well balanced with grace and poise towards the natural, refined blackberry and sea salt tinged finish. This is another beautiful wine from Alvaro. Drink now- 2017. Although I met dozens of winemakers during my time in Chile, meeting with Alvaro Espinoza is the one that sticks in my mind. Having entered many large-scale wineries producing decent, if sometimes predictable wines, Antiyal came as an antidote with its bijou size, biodynamic practices, the alpacas standing guard at the winery and the charismatic winemaker himself. Alvaro actually studied with Telmo Rodriguez and has lived in Bordeaux. His vines cover just 8 hectares, which includes the original single hectare homestead, although he has purchased conjoining land where he has planted some Grenache. I found his wines to be full of character and personality, wines that demonstrated flair and originality that Chile is beginning to show more and more.

Vivid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed bouquet of red- and blackcurrant, cherry compote and fresh rose. Suave and seamless in texture, offering energetic red and dark berry flavors that stain the palate. Picks up notes of smoky minerals and anise on the back end and leaves sweet and spicy notes behind on the long, sappy, very precise finish. This is really elegant, and among the elite red wines of the vintage.

Roasted, spicy and gritty aromas are common for this Carmenère-led blend from Alvaro Espinoza. The palate is full and ripe, with tannic grip. Flavors of buttery oak, vanilla, blackberry and olive lead to a toasty finish, with mocha and bitter chocolate notes. Overall, it's an oaky, ripe, strong-boned Maipo wine to drink now-2017.