I almost hesitate to shower praise on relatively inexpensive Cabernet from Chile for fear of deepening the widespread assumption that inexpensive wines are all that Chile makes well (when in fact the country makes killer wines — and Cabernets in particular — at every price level from $10 to $100). Still, this is just too good to keep to myself. Showing amazing layered complexity for the money, it provides dark berry fruit with a whiff of dried herbs and a softly tannic finish. This will be a star with burgers or any moderately robust dish based on red meat, and it would likewise work very well with pork or veal.
Hacienda Araucano, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
By Michael Franz