ALTO SOL 06 SYRAH/CARMENERE
We get to or have to taste a lot of wines here at Hi-Time. Naturally! We are a wine shop, after all. The “get to” or “have to” part depends on the wine. Well, Alto Sol is definitely a "get to."
The nose starts with a waft of spicy briar and garrique segueing to fruit and more spice: roasted plum, sea salt, wild cherries and white pepper. The rounded palate of more cherries and plum with black cherry notes, brown spices and a touch of vanillin are uplifted by a nice brace of acidity— this definitely works well with food (red meats, tapas; rich, hearty fare—maybe barbecued veggies with a nice garlic aioli).The finish is weighty yet racy thanks to the acidity-- fruit dominates in the end notes but the spicy tones still have their say. It's a harmonious blend of grapes with the fruit characteristics of each complementing each; the spicy notes the Carménére adds really works with the fruit. This is a very good wine. At this price point, it's incredible.

BODEGA CHACRA 09 PINOT NOIR BARDA
Aerate this one for even more bliss. But fresh out of the bottle, there is joy aplenty. The nose of wild, spicy strawberries, raspberries, cherry cola and cocoa leads to a palate just as rich. Sweet spicy fruit (peppered mixed berries) surmounted by appropriate acidity keeps the balance firm; the force is strong is this one. Impeccably poised, this wine knows where it’s from and is comfortable with that. We came back to this after trying a number of other wines and it just developed further; the nose took on an old-growth forest charm that was exceedingly attractive to go along with the myriad of fruit scents and flavors; definitely a silky, Vosne Romanée feel to this one.

"Deep red, with an unfiltered appearance. Pungent aromas of floral red fruits, spices, herbs, blood orange and smoked meat. Not thick but penetrating and vibrant, conveying intense, high-pitched flavors of cherry, raspberry and rose petal. No shortage of density here, but this wine is impressive for its sheer juiciness and flavor intensity. Finishes very long and lively, with terrific grip. Without question the finest bottle of pinot noir I've tasted to date from Argentina. This held up very well with extended time in the recorked bottle." Stephen Tanzer

CASA LAPOSTOLLE 2007 CUVEE ALEXANDRE MERLOT
"The 2007 Merlot Apalta Vineyard "Cuvee Alexandre", a purple-colored offering with aromas of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and black currant. This is followed by a smooth-textured, ripe Merlot with ample savory black fruits, good depth, and a moderately long finish. Drink it over the next 5-7 years." Wine Advocate

CASA LAPOSTOLLE 2007 CLOS APALTA

CASA LAPOSTOLLE 2009 CARMENERE
It had been ten years since our last visit with Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle when we met with her earlier in the year and we were thoroughly impressed by the quality of wines she and her team at Casa Lapostolle are producing in an across-the-board fashion. Although all the wines were excellent, we were especially taken with her Carmenere.

For those unfamiliar, Carmenere is a difficult grape to get right. Pick too early and the fruit takes on green, bellpepper qualities. Pick too late and the fruit becomes less complex and monolithic in flavor. Additionally, Carmenere vines need poor, well draining soils and the right microclimate to bring everything into place. Casa Lapostolle recognized these factors and had the foresight to plant their vines in an ideal location and the results speak for themselves. The vines were planted in 1998 and in 2007 the conditions were right to make wine.

The long growing season yielded grapes with impressive fruit and acidity. This outstanding wine is blessed with intense aromas of black fruits, black currant, black pepper and pleasant notes of sage, dried tobacco and provençal herbs along with a round, concentrated palate of delicious black fruit that is long in the finish thanks to some impressive acidity.

We’ve sampled and subsequently passed on numerous Carmeneres over the years but this is definitely one of the best we’ve ever tasted and it comes with our highest recommendation.

CASA LAPOSTOLLE 2010 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Delicate light yellow color with lime green hints. Expressive and fresh nose with sweet citrus fruit, white flowers, pears and nectarine with touches of lychee. Fresh mouth feel with a very nice palate. Notes of minerality at the finish. Great value. Delightfully fresh and fruity, with a crisp clean finish.

CONO SUR 2006 "20 BARREL" CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cono Sur (“the Southern Cone”) is proving to be one of Chile’s most dynamic and exciting wineries. We introduced this property last year as a cover feature and continue to be amazed by the quality wines that are being produced. They have been recognized as a leader in South America regarding sound environmental policies that make efficient use of renewable resources, protect the environment and cause minimal impact to the surrounding ecological system. Their adherence to sustainable/integrative agriculture practices and state-of-the-art winemaking produce profound, dramatic wines that will please the most discriminating palate. Very dark and opaque in color, the “20 Barrel” Cabernet leaps from the glass with complex aromas including blackberries, cassis, licorice, sweet oak and mocha coffee. The rich and concentrated cherry and berry flavors are seamlessly integrated with supple tannins. This opulent core of dark fruit flavors is enhanced with a hint of brown spices, chocolate, and vanilla. Hedonistic and potent, this delicious Cabernet exhibits the impeccable balance that allows for current enjoyment or cellaring for five or more years.

CONO SUR 08 PINOT NOIR
The bright, cherry-red "pretty Pinot" color leads to a nose of cherry, cherry cola, unctuous purple fruit and a nice dollop of earthy terroir and spice in a nod to both the Côte d'Or and New World Pinot producers.
The palate produces more wonderful fruit, again with cherry in the fore but plenty of plummy, strawberry notes as well. A balanced amount of tannins intermingle with the light-but-present earthy notes with hints of smoke and sea salt to add a bit of gravitas. This one drinks way out of its price range and is a great "fourth quarter" wine for a multitude of dining and entertaining venues that come up during the winter months. As to the holiday at hand, the fruit in this Pinot will uplift the dishes that need it, the acidity will cut through where appropriate, this one will go down extremely well at any Thanksgiving feast. Happy Thanksgiving from Hi-Time!

ERRAZURIZ 08 WILD YEAST CHARDONNAY
The weather is warming in time to really enjoy this one though who knows how April will shape up ultimately? To confess, we will enjoy this one rain or shine as it stands tall on its own. Native yeasts were used in fermentation (hence the name “wild”) which causes more stress upon the yeasts, and more yeast strains were used, resulting in different concentrations and by-product proportions, adding distinctive flavours—and therefore more complexity— to the wine. And it clearly worked in a winning way. The nose has forward stone fruits and a nice spiciness. The palate has great viscosity and mouth feel echoing the fruits from the nose: nectarine, white peach. A nice amount of acidity cuts through the palate weight with a dose of river rock minerality and a lasting, tasty finish. This is a beautiful Chardonnay and will fit any white wine yearning or dining agenda.

FALERNIA 2006 RESERVE SYRAH
Vina Falernia is located in the Elqui Valley, near the small town of La Serena, 300 miles north of Santiago and is at present, Chile's northernmost wine estate. The climate is semiarid with a dramatic contrast between day and night time temperatures. The soils in the vineyards are composed partly of rubble which has eroded from the Andes mountains and deposited by glaciers and wind, and partly of alluvial sand and silt deposited by the river. while stony, gravely soils are regarded as poor for most crops, their excellent drainage qualities make them perfect for wine growing.

WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2006 Syrah Reserva offers an enticing nose of smoke, game, and blueberry. Medium-bodied and elegant on the palate, it has layers of spicy fruit, good ripeness, and excellent length. This crowd-pleaser will evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now. It is an outstanding value."

LOS VASCOS 2007 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"The 2007 Reserve is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carmenere, 10% Syrah, and 5% Malbec. Dark ruby colored, it reveals an enticing bouquet of spice box, cedar, tobacco, cassis, and black cherry. This leads to a wine with plenty of savory fruit but also some hard tannin in the finish. Drink this tasty wine over the next 2-3 years while it retains its fruit." Wine Advocate

LOS VASCOS 2009 CHARDONAY
WINE MAKER'S NOTES - "This vintage has a brilliant and clear color with golden reflections. It has an explosive nose of melon, grapefruit and exotic fruit coupled with the typical Chardonnay note of hazelnut. In the mouth, it is rich, fresh and pleasantly fruity with good structure and a long finish."

VINA MAQUIS 2006 "LIEN"
A blend of 42% Syrah, 30% Carmenere, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 7% Malbec, this warm and generous wine is fruity, concentrated, and complex. Full of ripe plum and blackberry fruit.
WINE & SPRITS MAGAZINE 92 POINTS.

MATETIC 2006 EQUILIBRIO PINOT NOIR
EQ stands for Equilibrio, the Spanish word for balance. This concept represents their commitment with nature, thus showing a perfect harmony between soil and vine. EQ stands for Equilibrio, the Spanish word for BALANCE. This concept represents their commitment with nature, thus showing a perfect harmony between soil and vine.

From the first waft, EQ displays a cunning balance of rounded fruit and rich terroir that brings up nice memories of Burgundian Pinots (southern Savigny-lès-Beaune came to mind). Raspberry and cherry notes blend with a spicy/ brambly mélange and more dark/black berry fruits to make for a very lovely nose. The palate starts softly with more fruit (cherry/berry), easy-going vanillins and light earthiness and is just a joy to taste-- the palate-weight and viscosity are rounded and rich as is the overall balance and "feel" of this wine. Think Burgundian fruit meets "new world" Chilean terroir-- and the meeting is a huge success.

MONTES 2006 "M" RED BLEND
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS
"Very suave, with a velvety texture and fine-grained tannins that carry deceptively concentrated notes of black currant, warm fig sauce, espresso, maduro tobacco and black tea. Long and well-defined through the finish, with an ample reserve of fruit and minerality. Drink now through 2015. 4,500 cases made. –JM"

MONTES 2008 "CHERUB" ROSE OF SYRAH
This is an excellent perennial favorite for all. Spring time flare and Easter angels make for a great pairings with the variety at the traditional Easter dinner table.

STEPHEN TANZER - "Deep pink in color. Peppery red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by licorice and pungent herbs. Sappy and rich on the palate, offering powerful red berry and bitter cherry flavors and very finishing grip. This serious pink wine could stand up to strongly seasoned foods."

MONTES ALPHA 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2007 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon raises the bar considerably. A glass-coating opaque purple, it has an excellent bouquet of toasty oak, tobacco, espresso, and blackcurrant. With good richness, excellent depth, and a firm structure, it will evolve for several years and drink well through 2019."

MONTES ALPHA 2007 SYRAH
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS - "Alluring, with roasted coffee and vanilla bean notes giving way to a supple, rich palate of dark cherry, mulled currant and blackberry fruit, all pushed by a nicely integrated, loam- and grilled herb tinged finish. Drink now through 2010."

PARGUA ll 06 RED BLEND
Another fantastic food wine, the Pargua II leads with a nose of cherry cola, boysenberry and assorted Jolly Rancher red fruits. The palate starts soft with sweet cherry and plum fruit but builds in fruit character as well as tannins as it hits the mid-palate. The finish is lovely with outstanding minerality and a light touch of sea salt juxtaposed with the slowly fading, but still tasty, fruit tones.

WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2006 Pargua II is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere, 15% Syrah, and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Also produced from organically grown grapes, the wine is sweeter, riper, richer, and more concentrated than its less expensive sibling. Already complex, with another 3-4 years in the bottle to blossom, it will provide exceptional drinking between 2013 and 2026."

SANTA EMA 2007 RESERVE MERLOT
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "The 2007 Merlot Reserve is a glass-coating opaque purple. The nose offers up coffee, mocha, and cherry leading to a wine with no hard edges and plenty of character. If all Merlots offered this much pleasure, Pinot Noir would never have become so popular."

VIÑA SANTA EMA AMPLUS OLD VINES CARIGNAN 2006
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS
"Ripe and vivid, with a pure beam of blackberry fruit laced with blueberry, spice and pepper notes. The long, polished finish has nice buried minerality. Drink now through 2011. 1,200 cases made." –JM

TERRA ANDINA 07 SUYAI
From the magnificence of the Andes to the cool waters of the Pacific, Terra Andina utilizes modern and innovative winemaking skills to craft premium wines based on the diversity and richness of the “Land of the Andes”.

Suyai means hope in the language of Chile’s indigenous Mapuche tribe. A blend of four red varieties, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 13% Carignan and 7% Carmenere, this wine is Terra Andina’s salute to the very best of the vintage.

ROBERT PARKER 93 POINTS - "The winery’s flagship is the 2007 Suyai, is a true beast of a wine. Saturated purple/black in color, it has a nose of brooding black fruits, tar, and licorice. Powerful, dense, and full-flavored, the wine is surprisingly well-balanced and very long in the finish. Delicate palates should avoid this wine but if you want to grow some hair on your chest, this might well be the wine for you."

TERRA ANDINA 2008 CARMENERE RESERVE
Master Winemaker Oscar Salas focuses on the expression and the generosity of fruit of the New World in his winemaking. Yet, he adheres to the Old World principles of achieving balance and finesse. 80% of his Carmenere Reserva has been aged in French and American barrels for 6 months, which reflects Salas' philosophy of restrainined oak aging. Dark and deep red in color, you could use this in an inkwell! A complex bouquet of grilled red pepper, raspberry and blackberry fruit leads to dried plums mingled with tobacco and mocha on the palate. Very velvety texture with soft and voluptuous tannins in a nicely integrated finish. “Terra Andina Wines are outstanding Values,” says Robert Parker. And we completely agree!

VERAMONTE 2006 PRIMUS
The 2006 growing season was charaterized by even ripening conditions resulting in a balanced set crop. Favorable weather, long hang time and a smooth harvest yielded intensely concentrated flavors. The color is deep, dark opaque garnet with aromas of exotic spice, toast and hints of tobacco and mint. Primus 2006 combines striking rich, ripe fruit, exotic spice and a round mouth feel with elegant tannins, leading to a long finish.

WILLIAM FEVRE 2008 LA MISSION CHARDONNAY
William Févre is most known for his work in Chablis and, tasting what he and his team are doing down in Chile, that may change. This awesome little $6.99 Chardonnay blew a few of us away one afternoon in the cellar-- how can so much complexity, flavor and class make it into a sub-$7 bottling? We're not sure, but we are more than happy to shout about it to you, our faithful reader. The nose starts softly, subtly with light notes of river water minerality and young stone fruits. It was a bit cold when we first poured so a little time in glass really allowed this to express itself in terms of the freshness of fruit and reality of terroir the best of the Maipo Valley can showcase. Tropical fruits abound: guava, pineapple, lime/citrus, honey dew. This blends with a fresh green apple note layered in a beautiful minerality-- not the chalky, flinty type but more river rock. The finish is lengthy, the mouthfeel is fat and luscious, the underlying acidity is refreshing. La Mision will pair wonderfully with many summer fave foods: fresh fish, sea food in general (scallops, crab legs), white meats, tofu dishes, margherita pizzas, white-sauce pastas. Wine Bar Manager Todd Johnston, not a Chardonnay fan, stated, “This is delicious!”