Los Maquis, Colchagua Valley (Chile) 2014

 I’ve loved every release of this wine going back at least to 2006, and strongly encourage you to buy and enjoy any bottle you can find (as I’ve never tasted a vintage that wasn’t better for however much time it had been in bottle, including the 2006, 2007 and 2008).  The blend is led by Carmenere and Cabernet Franc, and consequently is proudly and distinctively Chilean in style, with wonderful topnotes of autumn leaves and dried herbs.  Nearly full-bodied but not at all heavy or overblown, this shows dark toned fruit recalling black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries, with the leafy, fruity and savory notes all beautifully proportioned in relation to one another.  The tannins and wood are likewise very well measured, allowing immediate enjoyment of this current release (which was sent to market only after admirable aging) but also promising years of positive development.