The red wines begin with the 2007 Merlot. Dark ruby-colored, it reveals an expressive nose of cherry and cranberry. Supple and ripe, on the palate notes of assorted red fruits, plums, and violets put in an appearance. The flavors are savory and there is enough tannin to support 1-2 years of development. Drink this tasty effort over the next five years. Cousino-Macul was one of the first wineries from Chile to make a breakthrough into the American market primarily due to the hard work of importer Alfredo Bartholomaus. The quality of the wines has been consistently good but recent improvements in the vineyards and winery have taken quality up to another level.Importer: Billington Wines, Springfield, VA; tel. (703) 455-4700; www.billingtonwines.com and www.cousinomacul.com