Santa Carolina Coleccion Especial Sauvignon Blanc, Rapel Valley 2004 Price $7.99 Rating 89 Big, clean aromas of subtle grass and ripe melon are in the nose. The sip is packed with ripe melon, an array of exotic fruit, and crisp citrus.

"The tropical notes, passion fruit, very typical of Chile. Crisp, young and food friendly," says winemaker Consuelo Marin. "I feel that the wine is more good if there are more words in the bottle."

Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2003 Price $13 Rating 91 "These wine spends seven month in French barrels with batonage of the yeast cells (the wine is stirred in barrel to extract more yeast complexity),"
explains Marin.

The rich fruit notes of apple and white fruit are in fine balance with the subtle, hazelnut-like oak influence. This white is crisp, clean and elegant.

Santa Carolina Coleccion Especial Merlot, Rapel Valley 2003 Price $7.99 Rating 93 There are ponderous aromas of blackberry, mulberry and deep earthy notes.
The dark red fruit is big, perhaps opulent. This Merlot is round, balanced and velvety.

"This wine sees three months in American oak, only for a touch," says Marin.
" True to character, there is blackberry, plum and a bit of cinnamon spice.
It is very ripe, resulting in soft tannins. It is very food friendly."

Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley 2003 Price $13.99 Rating 93 The nose indicates brier-like fruit. The sip is firm, filled with rich fruit flavor, followed by cool mint and subtle oak character. The length is long and inviting.

"The grape yields are low in the vineyard. There is a chocolate and cinnamon spice element, vanilla and cherry. This red is soft but not light. It could age another seven years to add to the complexity," suggests Marin. "Our reds should be decanted to open them up fully. Try this Cabernet Sauvignon with lamb, duck, creamy sauces, and cheese."

Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Syrah, Maipo Valley 2003 Price $13.99 Rating 94 The nose is subtle with hints of mineral and perhaps coffee. The sip explodes with earth black fruit, soft leather, cocoa powder and black pepper.

"The tannin is very, very strong, but velvety," boasts Marin. "There are violets and other silky notes. This red goes very well with strong red meat cooked in complex ways with pepper and spice. It also goes well with cheese or pasta."

To learn more visit their website at www.vscwine.com. Viña Santa Carolina is one of the oldest continuing wine operations in Chile, going back to 1875.
They are imported into the US by Canadaigua Wines (Constellation Brands).