Cono Sur Reserva Merlot 2008 (Colchagua)

Tasted 05/02/11 with Sara. 14% ABV. About £8.50 UK retail (e.g. Tesco, Waitrose, Majestic). Good 'New World Style' Merlot from Chile's big Concha Y Toro company (Cono Sur is one of their subsidiaries). As always, this volume producer is quality-orientated and this wine shows the benefit of paying a £1 or so premium over the entry level wine (ironically, sometimes the reserva is discounted to below the entry level merlot!). Bright garnet colour, full plummy nose, big and youthful in the mouth - a complete contrast to Bordeaux merlot - hints of cocoa and spice on the palate too. Fruit-forward with sweet oak. Good finish, drink now. 16 / 20