Mild vinegar and full-fledged herbal aromas are typical of traditional Chilean Merlot, and while the palate is solid, it’s also scratchy, with tart raspberry and semiweedy flavors. Finishes with burnt brown sugar, herbal flavors and grating acidity. ——M.S.(12/1/2010)—— 83

If you like an easy-drinking but serious red wine, you’ll fall for this full, meaty Merlot that offers nice red and black fruit notes and also a fair share of young, tolerable oak. Slightly more upscale than your average Chilean value Merlot, with a nice foundation of core fruit. ——M.S.(5/1/2007)—— 87