Wine critic Joaquín Hidalgo, who works alongside Vinous founder Antonio Galloni, has just released his reviews of the latest releases from two of our top estates, Viñas Maquis and Gillmore.

Viña Maquis

2017 Cabernet Franc “Franco“

93 points. The 2017 Maquis Franco is Cabernet Franc with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Colchagua, aged for 24 months in French oak. The precise, intense nose offers candied blueberries, sour cherries and cassis plus cedar and herbs. Flows easily, with fine-grained tannins and plenty of wood, developing a rich, vivid but nuanced flavor. Looks set to age very well.

2017 Carménère “Viola“

92 points. The 2017 Carménère Viola is a blend of Carménère with 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from Colchagua, aged for 24 months in French oak barrels. A purplish red in the glass, it presents a blackberry nose with hints of white pepper, cigar box and camphor. Dry, ripe and smooth in the mouth; the grippy tannins are stirred up by the alcohol, which also lends depth to the cleansing finish.

2018 Carménère Gran Reserva

91 points. The 2018 Carménère Gran Reserva is blended with 10% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, all from Colchagua and aged for 12 months in French barrels. Violet-red in the glass. The nose begins with smoke and cigar box, followed by white pepper and blueberry jam. Creamy and voluminous on the palate. The alcohol lends power and energy to the mentholated, herbal finish. A rich expression.

2020 Rosé Gran Reserva

91 points. The 2020 Rosé Gran Reserva is a blend of Malbec with 35% Cabernet Franc that rested on lees for five months in French barrels. Salmon pink in color. The nose offers intense, refined notes of sour cherry and strawberry. The palate is malic against a fruity backdrop where the sour cherry is enhanced by heightened, well-integrated freshness. A delicious rosé.

2017 “Lien“

91 points. The 2017 Lien is a mix of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc and 11% Carménère from Colchagua. Maroon in the glass, this wine offers cassis and prunes with hints of wood, bay leaf and white pepper. It delivers good body and a terse texture channeled by the still reactive tannins, all in a balanced but somewhat monochrome palate. A very pleasant wine.

2018 Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva

90 points. The 2018 Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva is blended with 7% Carménère and 3% Petit Verdot from Colchagua and spent 12 months in French barrels. Garnet red in the glass, it delivers red currant and strawberry jam and herbal hints against a woody backdrop. In the mouth, it’s intense with active, tacky tannins that deepen the profile alongside the well-judged freshness. Best to keep it for another year at least.

Viña Gillmore

2015 Carignan VIGNO

93 points. The 2015 Carignan VIGNO is 100% Carignan from old vines in an unirrigated vineyard in Loncomilla, Maule, that spent 18 months in neutral barrels, a formula conceived by oenologist Andrés Sánchez. Purplish-red in hue. The complex but mild nose features dried flowers, mint and dark fruit jam alongside balsamic aromas, orange peel and licorice. Flavorful in the mouth; the firm tannins are compact and a frisky acidity lends zest to the sober palate. The delicate finish contains notes from the developing bouquet.

2018 Red Blend Mariposa

90 points. The 2018 Red Blend Mariposa is a blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Syrah from Loncomilla, Maule. Violet in color. The nose presents crystalline notes of cherry and thyme. The firm palate offers sparky freshness, accomplished concentration and mild, somewhat compressed tannins.