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Written by Jancis Robinson
16 Jan 2006
Third Wines of Chile Awards
Wines of Chile make the following announcement:
The Third Annual Wines of Chile Awards that have just taken place in Santiago once again highlight the trend toward regional diversity and greater elegance in Chile's wines.
A panel of nine experienced UK judges, including Tim Atkin MW, Rose Murray Brown MW, Simon Woods and Joe Wadsack, gave many of the top honours to wines from Chile's emerging cooler climate regions such as Limarí, Bío Bío, San Antonio, and Casablanca.
The award for Best Wine of The Show went to Viña Matetic's EQ Syrah 2004. This modern winery [which particularly impressed Julia Harding on her recent trip to South America - JR] is pioneering organic viticulture in the cool coastal region of San Antonio, just south of Casablanca and demonstrates just why Syrah is becoming the most talked-about red variety of the future for Chile.
The judges were impressed by the high quality and consistency of Cabernet Sauvignon with a high proportion of the top medals going to Chile's 'king' of grape varieties. The Cabernet Trophy was awarded to J&F Lurton's Gran Araucano Cabernet 2003. It was also the high quality of some of the lesser known grape varieties that particularly pleased the judges – top trophies went to the Cono Sur Visión Riesling 2004, Valdivieso's Single Vineyard Malbec 2004 [ah, that famous single vineyard that for years didn't seem to have any more specific appellation than Central Valley…! JR], and the Casas del Bosque Reserve Pinot Noir 2005. [Viña Falernia, highlighted in a recent wine of the week, produced the Best Value Red, following their success in last year's Awards.]
Reinforcing Chile's claim to deliver exceptional value for money, six out of the 13 trophies went to wines that retail for less than £7.99, and none were over £20.
Commenting on the Awards, Michael Cox, Wines of Chile's UK Director stated "Once again the Awards have thrown into sharp focus Chile's great strengths: consistency of winemaking, stunning Cabernets, emerging cooler regions, and exciting new styles". He added, "Chile now truly is a one-stop-shop for the modern, discerning wine lover".
There were a total of 478 entries. In addition to the trophies, the judges awarded 28 gold medals (5.8%), 46 silver medals (9.6%) and 140 bronze medals (29%). Interesting to note that the variety Carmenère crops up more than 50 times in the list below, as a varietal or in a blend. Trophy winners
BEST WINE OF THE SHOW Viña Matetic Vineyards, EQ, Syrah 2004 BEST VALUE RED Viña Falernia, Fundación Carmenère/Syrah 2004
BEST VALUE WHITE Viña Valdivieso, Valdivieso Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Viña Hacienda Araucano, Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 SYRAH Viña Matetic Vineyards, EQ, Syrah 2004
LATE HARVEST Viña Viu Manent, Semillon Late Harvest 2004 CARMENÈRE Viña Echeverría, Echeverría Carmenère 2005 PINOT NOIR Viña Casas del Bosque, Pinot Noir Reserve 2005 SAUVIGNON BLANC Viña Arboleda, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
CHARDONNAY Viña Cono Sur, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Chardonnay AROMATICS Viña Cono Sur, Cono Sur Visión Riesling Single Vineyard 2004
RED BLEND Viña La Rosa, Don Reca, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Limited Release 2004 OTHER REDS Viña Valdivieso, Valdivieso Malbec Single Vineyard Reserve 2004
Gold medals
Viña Leyda, Lot 5 Wild yeast, Chardonnay 2004 Viña Arboleda, Arboleda Carmenère 2004
Viña Peréz Cruz, Cot Reserva Limited Edition 2004
Viñedos de Canata, Canata Paso Hondo, Alta Selección Malbec 2004 Viña Terramater, Terramater Altum Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Viña Leyda, Lot 21, Pinot Noir 2004
Viña Montes, Montes Limited Selection, Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Falernia, Alta Tierra Syrah 2004
Viña Santa Rita, Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Viña Porta, Porta Cabernet Sauvignon Select Reserve 2004 Viña Siegel, El Crucero Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Viña Errazuriz, Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2003 Viña Caliterra, Caliterra Tribute Malbec 2004
Viña San Pedro, 1865, Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Viña Casablanca, Santa Isabel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Viña Bisquertt, Casa La Joya Carmenère Reserve 2004
Silver medals
Viña Cono Sur, Cono Sur Vision Gewürztraminer Single Vineyard 2005 Viña Arboleda, Chardonnay 2005
Viña Agustinos, Winemaker Selection Merlot/Malbec 2003
Viña Santa Mónica, Tierra del Sol Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada 1997 Viña Calina, Merlot Reserva 2003
Viña Tabalí, Tabalí Reserva Especial 2003
Viña Peréz Cruz, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004 Viña Undurraga, Late Harvest Reserva 2004
Viña Mont Gras, Ninquén 2003
Viña Hacienda Araucano, Alka Carmenère 2003
Viña Cono Sur, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir 2003 Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004 Viña Cono Sur, Cono Sur Vision Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard 2005 Viña Odfjell, Orzada Malbec 2003
Viña Canepa, Canepa Private Reserve Carmenère 2003 Viña Sutil, Limited ReleaseSpecial Reserve Carmenère 2003 Viña Bouchon, J Bouchon Carmenère Reserva Especial 2005
Viñedos Errázuriz Ovalle, Marchigüe Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Viña Los Vascos, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Viña Leyda, Single Vineyard Las Brisas Pinot Noir 2004
Viña Porta, Porta Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère Reserve 2005 Viña Casa Donoso, Casa Donoso Malbec Reserva 2003
Viña Santa Ema Carmenère Barrel Select 2003 Viña Candelaria, Yaquil, Carmenère 2003 Freixenete, Carmenère 2005
Viña Casa Silva, Doña Dominga Carmenère Reserva 2005 Viña El Huique, El Huique Carmenère Reserva 2004 Viña Los Robles, Los Robles Carmenère 2005 Viña Casas del Bosque, Syrah Reserve 2004 Viña Anakena, Anakena Ona Syrah 2004
Viña Misiones de Rengo, Misiones de Rengo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Miguel Torres, Santa Digna Reserve Shiraz 2004
Hacienda El Condor, Millaman Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva 2004 Viña Casa Lapostolle, Merlot Cuvée Alexandre 2004
Viña Los Vascos, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Viña Porta, Porta Pinot Noir Select Reserve 2004 Viña Morandé, Pionero Chardonnay 2005
Viña Quintay, Quintay Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Viña Agustinos, Agustinos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 TerraAustral, PKNT Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Viña Valle Frio, Chardonnay Reserva 2004 Viña Las Casas del Toqui, Leyenda 2001 Viña Odfjell, Armador Carmenère 2004 Viña Tarapacá, Merlot 2005
Viña Francisco de Aguirre, Prologo Reserva Syrah 2002 Bronze medals
Viña Viu Manent, Secreto Malbec 2004 Viña Anakena, Anakena Carmenère 2005 Viña Porta, Porta Carmenère Reserve 2005 Viña De Martino, Single vineyard Malbec 2004
Viña William Cole, William Cole Columbine Carmenère Reserve 2003 Viña Carmen, Reserve Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Viña Neyen, Espíritu de Apalta 2003
Viña Terramater, Terramater Unusual Carmenère/Shiraz 2003 Viña Santa Carolina, Barrica Selection Petit Verdot 2004
Hacienda El Condor, Millaman Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Viña Luis Felipe Edwards, Chardonnay Terraced Gran Reserva 2005 Viña Matetic Vineyards, EQ, Chardonnay 2004
Viña Agustinos, Agustinos Reserve Carmenère 2005 Viña Casa Tamaya, Tamaya Chardonnay Reserve 2004 Viña Casas del Bosque, Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2005 Terra Andina, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Viña San Pedro,Cabo de Hornos, Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Viña Odfjell, Orzada Carignan 2003
Coop. Agrícola Vitivinicola de Cauquenes, Las Lomas Malbec/Syrah 2005 Viña Camino Real, Camino Real Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004 Viña El Aromo, Private Reserve Carmenère 2004
Viña Casa Marin, Pinot Noir Lo Abarca Hills 2004 Viña Viu Manent, Malbec Single Vineyard 2003
Viña Veramonte, Veramonte Merlot Private Reserve 2004 Viña Errazuriz, Errazuriz Max Reserva 2004
Viña Valdivieso, Valdivieso Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc Reserve 2003 Viña Casa Donoso, Clos Centenaire 2003
Viña Concha y Toro, Terrunyo Carmenère 2003
Viña Agustinos, Agustinos Grand Reserve Pinot Noir 2003 Viña Chocalán, Carmenère Selección 2004
Viña Santa Helena, Viognier Premium Varietal 2005 Viña Tabalí, Tabalí Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2004 Viña Santa Mónica, Carmenère 2003
Viña Casa Marin, Sauvignon Blanc Laurel Vineyard 2005 Viña Anakena, Anakena Single Vineyard Riesling 2004 Viña Canepa, Canepa Winemaker's Selection Viognier 2005 Viña Peréz Cruz, Syrah Reserva Limited Edition 2004 Viña Candelaria, Yaquil Malbec/Syrah 2003
Viña Echeverría, Echeverría Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Viña La Ronciere, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Viña La Ronciere, Los Espinos Shiraz/Cabernet 2005 Viña Falernia, Alta Tierra Carmenère 2005
Viña El Aromo, Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Viña El Aromo, Barrel Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère/Petit Verdot 2004 Viña Misiones de Rengo, Misiones de Rengo Cuvée Carmenère 2004
Viña Vistamar, Vistamar Sepia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Viña Matetic Vineyards, EQ, Pinot Noir 2004
Viña Agustinos, Winemaker Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2004 Viña Casa Tamaya, Tamaya Late Harvest Muscat of Alexandria 2004
Viña Casablanca, Colección Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Viña Concha y Toro, Trio Merlot/Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Viña Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2005
Viña Requingua, Toro de Piedra Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004 Viña Canepa, Oak aged Cabernet/Carmenère/Merlot 2005
Viña Santa Helena, Notas de Guarda Carmenère 2003
Viña Anakena, Anakena Ona Viognier/Riesling/Chardonnay 2005 Viña Valle Frio, Carmenère/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2003 Viña Peralillo, Hoppe del Sur 8515 Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2003 Viña Undurraga, Syrah Reserva 2004
Viña Casa Silva, Doña Dominga Carmenère Single Vineyard 2005 Viña Montes, Purple Angel 2003
Viña Cousiño Macul, Doña Isidora Riesling 2005 Haras de Pirque, Character Syrah 2004
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards, Carmenère Terraced Gran Reserva 2004 Viña Siegel, Crucero Carmenère 2004
Viña San Pedro, 35 South, Cs 2005
Viña Cremaschi Furlotti, Cremaschi Furlotti Edicion Limitada de Familia 2002 Viña Santa Alicia, Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2003
Viña Hacienda Araucano, Clos de Lolol 2002
Viña Morandé, Vitisterra Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2002 Viña Sutil, Limited Release Special Reserve Syrah 2003
Viña Veramonte, Veramonte Winemakers Selection, Merlot 2003 Viña Cousiño Macul, Merlot Reserva 2004
Vía Wines, Chilcas Ranch Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah 2003 Viñedos Terranoble, Terranoble Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2003 Viña Casa Silva, Quinta Generación 2003
Viña Casa Silva, Los Lingues Carmenère 2004
Viña Casa Silva, Doña Dominga Cabernet Sauvignon, Las Gredas 2005 Viñedos de Canata, Canata Paso Hondo, Reserva Chardonnay 2005 Viña El Huique, El Huique Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2003 Viña Peñalolen, Peñalolen Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Viña Cremaschi Furlotti, Cremaschi Furlotti Vénere 2003 Viña Tabalí, Tabalí Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Viña Tabalí, Tabalí Reserva Especial Pinot Noir 2004 Viña Santa Alicia, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Viña Altaïr, Sideral 2002
Viña von Siebenthal, Carabantes Syrah 2003 Viña Chocalàn, Syrah Reserva 2004
Viña Carmen, Reserve Syrah 2004 Viña Terramater, Zinfandel/Shiraz 2004
Viña Terramater, Terramater Cabernet/Carmenère 2004 Viña Valle Frio, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Reserva 2003
Viña Viña Mar de Casablanca, Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Viña Mar de Casablanca, Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Viña Viña Mar de Casablanca, Reserva Pinot Noir 2004 Viña Viña Mar de Casablanca, Reserva Chardonnay 2005 Viña Miguel Torres, Cordillera 2001
Viña Miguel Torres, Santa Digna Selection Gewurztraminer 2005 Hacienda El Condor, Millaman Estate Carmenère Reserva 2004 Viña Cantaluna, Cantaluna Reserva Chardonnay 2005
Viña Leyda, Single Vineyard Garuma Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Leyda, Classic Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Viña Peralillo, Arenal Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004 Viña Peralillo, Arenal Carmenère Reserva 2004
Viña La Ronciere, Chardonnay 2005
Viña Estampa, Estampa Reserve Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2004 Viña Estampa, Estampa Gold Assemblage Syrah 55% 2003
Alto de Terra Andina, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Viña Mont Grass, Mont Grass Carmenère Reserva 2005
Viña Botalcura, Botalcura La Porfía, Grand Reserve Carmenère 2003
Viña Luis Felipe Edwards,Cabernet Sauvignon Terraced Gran Reserva 2004 Viña Montes, Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2004
Viña Montes, Montes Limited Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2004 Viña Sutil, Acrux 2003
Viña Veramonte, Veramonte Primus Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2003 Viña Falernia, Alta Tierra Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2005
Viña Santa Rita, Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Aresti, Aresti Winemakers' Assamblage 2004 Viña Aresti, Aresti Gewürztraminer 2005
Viña El Aromo, Artemisa Late Harvest Muscatel of Alexandría 2005 Viña Calina, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Viña Gracia, Gracia de Chile Cabernet/Carmenère Selection Reserve 2004 Viña La Rosa, La Capitana Cabernet Sauvignon, Barrel Reserve 2004 Viña Gracia, Gracia de Chile Reserva Superior Pinot Noir 2004
Viña Siegel, Crucero Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 VOE, Novas Chardonnay/Marsanne/Viogner 2004 VOE, Adobe Carmenère 2004
Viña Casa Verdi, Casa Verdi Aniceto Reserve Carmenère 2004 Viña Casa Tamaya, Tamaya Special Reserve 2002
Viña Caliterra, Caliterra Tribute Chardonnay 2005
Viña Tarapacá, Gran Tarapacá Chardonnay Oak Aged 2005 Viña Casablanca, Santa Isabel Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2005 Viña Santa Carolina, Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2005
Viña Santa Carolina, Reserva Syrah 2004 Viña Aquitania, Sol de Sol Chardonnay 2004
Viñedos Errázuriz Ovalle, VEO Grande Merlot/Malbec 2004 Viña Casa Donoso, 1810 Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère 2003 Viña Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo Shiraz 2005
Viña Bisquertt, Casa La Joya Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserve 2003 Viña Cantaluna, Chardonnay 2005
