The 2008 Corralillo Winemaker’s Blend is composed of 40% Merlot, 28% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 12% Malbec aged in French oak for 12 months. Notions of smoke, game, balsamic, herbs, and assorted black fruits lead to a full-bodied, savory, ripe wine with flavors of plum, spice, and a hint of chocolate. It reveals enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years and will provide prime drinking from 2013 to 2020. Matetic is a biodynamically farmed winery, a rarity in Chile at the moment, whose grapes are certified organic.Importer: Quintessential Wines, Napa, CA; www.quintessentialwines.com

Very solid, this is ripe but not overdone, boasting focused plum and blackberry fruit laced with alluring graphite, spice and mineral notes. The long, racy finish keeps everything humming along nicely. Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2011. 1,900 cases made.??–JM??Region: Chile / San Antonio Select to Add

A full-force, racy blend led by Merlot. It’s ripe, staunch, mildly herbal and shows aromas of leather, savory berry and molasses. The palate is saturated, acid-driven and clacky, so it’s lively stuff with medicinal, ripe berry and spice flavors. Finishes snappy and crisp, with pronounced acidity and tannins. ——M.S.(12/31/2010)—— 88