Antiyal, Maipo Valley (Chile) 2011

This beautiful blend is one of my favorite reds from Chile in virtually every vintage, and 2011 proves no exception to that rule.  The composition is 56% Carmenere, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Syrah.  Seeing that breakdown might lead you to anticipate a broodingly backward wine with forbidding structure, but the wine is in fact delightfully open and expressive.  It features delicious fruit with both red and black berry notes, along with subtle accents of violets, Asian spices, cedar and woodsmoke.  Although it is temptingly tasty now, you’d be well advised to cellar this for another few years to let the aromatics become even more intricate.