Chilean Red Wine: 10 Best Bottles To Buy In 2024, Styles, Regions

For a long time, Chilean red wine styles were known not for their taste but their affordability. 

Interestingly, a tasting in Berlin forever changed how the world perceived Chile’s red wines. 

Today, the Chilean wine industry is famous for its well-crafted red varietals and exotic blends that display incredible complexity and rich flavors.

In this article, we’ll discover Chile’s popular red wine styles and uncover 10 excellent Chilean reds. We’ll then share some mouthwatering foods to serve with Chilean red wine. We’ll also explore Chile’s top wine regions and its captivating history.

Chile’s Diverse Red Wine Styles

While Chilean reds offer excellent diversity, some wine styles that stand out are:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: These wines showcase berry flavors and silky tannins alongside intense aromas of dried herbs.
• Syrah: The elegant fruit aromas of these wines give way to a rounded palate with black pepper and black fruit flavors.
• Carmenere: Chilean Carmenere wines offer a bouquet of dried herbs and bell pepper, complemented by a palate highlighting black cherry flavor.
• Merlot: Wines made from this grape variety have a silky palate with coffee notes and a lovely nose of cassis and orange scents.
• Pinot Noir: Smoke and cedar scents greet the nose as red fruit flavors debut on the palate.

In addition to these styles, traditional Chilean red wine styles like Pais, Cinsault, and Carignanhave started gaining prominence.

Eager to know which Chilean red wine bottle you should buy?

10 Seductive Chilean Red Wines To Buy In 2024

Here are 10 stunning Chilean red wine bottles that deserve a spot in your collection:

• 2008 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2015 Lapostolle Borobo
• 1998 Vina Almaviva
• 2010 Cono Sur Silencio Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2013 Montes Alpha M
• 2010 Matetic Syrah
• 2014 Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa 'Las Pizarras' Pinot Noir
• 2014 Santa Rita Triple C
• 2016 Garage Wine Co. Truquilemu Vineyard Carignan Field Blend
• 2015 De Martino Single Vineyard 'Las Cruces' Old Vines Field Blend

1. 2008 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto, Chile ($375)

This Cabernet Sauvignon opens with bloody, dark fruit notes. Its palate boasts fresh acidity and a fine tannin profile, with a touch of sweetness.

2. 2015 Lapostolle Borobo, Central Valley, Chile ($258)

On the palate, this fine wine reveals fruity flavors and silky tannins. Its nose unveils vanilla and black fruit fragrances.

3. 1998 Vina Almaviva, Puente Alto, Chile ($213)

This Chilean wine has a dense palate offering plum flavor notes and a soft tannin profile, with balanced acidity. It gives up a delicate coffee aroma with black currant hints.

4. 2010 Cono Sur Silencio Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile ($193)

Floral and spiced aromas dominate the nose, while ripe berry and black cherry flavors flood the palate.

5. 2013 Montes Alpha M, Apalta, Chile ($94)

This wine’s palate offers dark plum, black currant, and spice flavors. Its nose unravels cookie and blackberry scents.

6. 2010 Matetic Syrah, San Antonio Valley, Chile ($81)

The herbal scents of this vintage give way to a full-bodied palate flaunting spice and berry notes with a touch of salt.

7. 2014 Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa 'Las Pizarras' Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Valley, Chile ($77)

An intriguing nose of rose hips and wild strawberries sets this Pinot Noir apart from other Chilean reds. Its palate features raspberry and cherry flavors with bright acidity.

8. 2014 Santa Rita Triple C, Maipo Valley, Chile ($66)

Mulberry and blackcurrant aromas present an enchanting nose. Its flush palate has a balanced structure, with a plum tart flavour and cherry notes.

9. 2016 Garage Wine Co. Truquilemu Vineyard Carignan Field Blend, Empedrado, Chile ($41)

This Chilean wine showcases balsamic and citrus notes on the palate. Mineral and herbal notes characterize the nose.

10. 2015 De Martino Single Vineyard 'Las Cruces' Old Vines Field Blend, Cachapoal Valley, Chile ($40)

This fine wine vaunts a nose of cassis, ripe berry, and red fruit aromas. Its palate comes across as balsamic and spicy.

Irresistible Food Pairings With Chilean Red Wine

Like most reds, Chilean red wines pair excellently with red meats.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah go well with steaks, while Chilean Carmenere, Malbec, and Merlot match perfectly with pork. You can pair Chilean Pinot Noir with lamb dishes.

They also go well with cheeses, vegetables, and local delicacies like empanadas.

Next, we’ll take a quick look at Chile’s famous red wine regions.

A Quick Overview Of Chilean Red Wine Regions

Chile’s wine regions are divided into three main areas:

1. Northern Chile

Elqui, Huasco & Copiapo, and Limari are three important wine regions in Northern Chile.

Lying 325 miles north of the Chilean capital of Santiago, Elqui is planted with Pinot Noir, Carmenere, and Syrah.

The Huasco & Copiapo wine region, 340 miles north of the capital, is home to Pinot Noir.

Red grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are commonly grown in Limari, located 290 miles north of Santiago.

2. Central Valley

Central Valley is home to the Aconcagua, Casablanca, Rapel, and Maule wine regions.

Located about 40 miles north of Santiago, the Aconcagua and Casablanca wine regions are famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir wines.

The Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes widely planted in Rapel, near Santiago, forms the core of the region's delectable varietal wines and blends.

The largest and most southerly of Central Valley’s wine regions is Maule, known for Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carignan.

3. Southern Chile

Southern Chile’s prominent wine regions include Itata, Malleco, and Bío Bío.

While Itata has always been known for Carignan and Pais, Chilean winemakers of this region have begun embracing modern grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Bío Bío is mainly planted with Pinot Noir, with small areas dedicated to Pais and Cinsault.

Pinot Noir is the primary red grape variety grown in Malleco.

Curious about Chile’s red wine history?

A Brief History Of Chilean Red Wine

Chile has been growing vines since the 1500s. 

But the region’s red wine production really kicked off when the French introduced varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1800s. 

Even then, Chilean wines were mainly known for their affordability and not their taste.

Fortunately, a 2004 tasting in Berlin turned the tides in Chile’s favor — two Chilean red wines (2000 Viñedo Chadwick and 2001 Seña) were voted 1st and 2nd, ahead of their Bordeaux and Tuscan counterparts.

Today, the Chilean wine industry is renowned for its exceptional red wine collection.

Celebrate With A Bottle Of Chilean Red Wine Now!

Chilean wineries have a reputation for producing exceptional yet affordable reds.

But if you’re looking to invest, red wines from Chilean vineyards aren’t as investment-worthy as their French or Italian counterparts.

Visit the Vinovest website to discover exquisite vintages with high investment potential. Vinovest is an online wine investment company that helps you source, authenticate, buy, insure, store, and sell investment-grade wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux blends, and sweet white wines from all over the world.