other varietals in the Casillero del Diablo line, and they produce 10 other lines as well. It’ s huge! We tasted 18 of their wines and it is easy to see why their entry-level wines do so well in the market— they are easygoing and very consumer-friendly. Their Marquis de Casa Concha line is still their best work!
After lunch, we drove to Viña Peréz Cruz, which was an architectural dream! My father would have loved how the beautiful soft arched wood nestled into the foot of the mountains. Here, Winemaker German Lyon Larrain led us through their six wines, all of which were red— Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Syrah. No whites here!
After Peréz Cruz, we raced to Santiago and headed back to the airport. It was difficult to believe we had experienced so much, all within an hour of Santiago! I was so sad to leave this paradise of food, gracious people, and— most especially— the diverse, surprising, and always interesting Chilean wines. �
Hand-sorting for only the best fruit
JILL’ S TOP PICKS
These Chilean favourites are available at Banville & Jones: Montes 2004 Folly( Syrah) – $ 99.99 Pérez Cruz 2006 Liguai( Cab / Carm / Syrah) – $ 47.99 Luis Felipe Edwards 2007 Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon – $ 18.99 Matetic Vineyards 2006 EQ Syrah – $ 29.99 Concha y Toro 2007 Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay – $ 21.99