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CHILE Fred's Flirtations Now that Fred Minnick has swooned over Chile, here are some of his favorite recent releases. For more of Fred's tasting notes on Chilean wines, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. Undurraga 2010 T. H. Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley ($24.99) Light purple in color, with a nose of plum, cherry and grape juice. On the tongue, it's plummy with hints of vanilla and spice. VISION WINE & SPIRITS Felipe Tosso, chief winemaker at Viña Ventisquero, samples wines in the vineyard. (your closest friend and strongest advo- cate) tells me you aspire to be number one among sustainable premium wines from the New World. They say you're predicted to reach $3 billion in exports of bottled wine by 2020. Wine companies aren't saying why they're investing in you over Argentina and the U.S., but I had to know. So I asked Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, whose family founded Grand Marnier and owns Chile's Lapostolle: "In the mid '90s, I proposed to my family to expand the wine side of the family business beyond France. I researched a lot in California, Argentina and Chile. After we visited Colchagua, and specifi - cally a very special part of it—Apalta Valley—we saw the enormous potential to produce world-class wines hidden in that terroir. The unique geography, the soil and the perfect climate conditions were ideal, and on top of that we found old vines, pre-phylloxera, non-grafted, that were planted originally in 1920s. Those factors convinced me it was the right place. Also, Chile has a good macro-economic climate that welcomes foreign investment." So there you have it, Chile. You look good, smell great, taste delicious . . . and your infrastructure is all set. Now I can fall in love with you, both emotion- ally and rationally. Sorry, Old World, I'm seeing Chile now. 120 / the tasting panel / march 2012 ConoSur 2009 20 Barrels Syrah, Limarí Valley ($22) Actually a blend of 93% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine presents a beautiful ruby red color and a an amazing, blissful nose of dark cherry, rose petals and plum. Same notes on the palate with the addition of a more black fruits and vanilla, leading to a lovely chocolate fi nish. VINEYARD BRANDS Lapostolle 2010 Cuvée Alexandre Carmenère, Colchagua Valley ($24.99) Brilliant purple color with shades of red. Lovely nose of black and red pepper with tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. Its velvety structure walks you right into notes of black fruits and a subtle fi nish. MOËT HENNESSY USA Concha y Toro 2009 Marqués de Casa Concha Carmenère, Puemo ($22)Intense dark red with purple hues. Aromas of lovely black fruit, black pepper, cracked white pepper and a slight hint of truffl e. On the palate, chocolate explodes with hints of blackberry and vanilla. The 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in this single vineyard product gives it a little more backbone than most Carmenères. BANFI VINTNERS TerraNoble 2009 Carmenère Gran Reserva, Maule Valley, ($18) Smoky and chocolate nose with aromas of black fruits, lack peppers, herbs and earth. On the palate, a beautiful choco- late raspberry fl avor develops, fi nished with a soft touch of vanilla. A gorgeous wine that should make the French wish they paid closer attention Carmenère. WINEBOW Cousiño-Macul 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley ($11.99) Showing Chilean wines can age well, this is wine expresses itself with a lovely nose of plum, black currant, raspberry and subtle sweet notes. Same notes are featured on the palate with smoke, black truffl e and hints of white and black pepper. SAN FRANCISCO WINE EXCHANGE Viña Ventisquero 2007 Vertice, Colchagua Valley ($40) A beautiful dark ruby color with a bouquet of red fruits. On the plate, it's strong with black fruits and black pepper with hints of chocolate on the front and oak on the fi nish. It's well- rounded with a fi rm structure. Syrah-Carmenère blend. WINEBOW Tamaya 2010 Chardonnay Reserva, Limarí Valley ($9) Pale gold with a straw color hint. Bouquet of citrus, especially lemon, cream and vanilla. Creamy mouthfeel with notes of white fl ower, white fruits, cardamom and mineral. ECO VALLEY Miguel Torres NV Santa Digna Estelado Rosé ($19) In my opinion, the best sparkling wine in all of Chile. It comes from the País grape, native to Chile and produced by a handful of vineyards. Dense bubbles come right out of the bottle and fl oat to the top of the glass, which is fi lled with a salmon pink color. Hints of lemon, blueberry, chocolate and pear fi ll the nose, with a lovely citrus palate. The perfect vacation breakfast bubbly. DREYFUS, ASHBY, INC . PHOTO: FRED MINNICK