De Martino Alto de Piedras Single Vineyard Carmenère 2018

De Martino gets this carménère from their own vineyards in Isla de Maipo – the same ones they planted nearly 30 years ago. The sandy, stony soils are a bit deeper than those they use for La Cancha, the cabernet sauvignon from the same line, so it retains more water, which the ever-thirsty carménère likes. The vines also receive water throughout the entire season, which winemaker Marcelo Retamal says reduces the variety’s typical vegetal notes. In this case, there are red fruits characteristic of an early harvest and spices that come with the variety’s DNA. The wine has structure and firm texture, tongue-prickling tannins that are dense yet sharp, and an almost ethereal herbal finish. [Drink to 2026+.] Score – 96. (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2020)