90

2012 Miguel Torres Reserva de Pueblo, Cepa País, Itata Valley

( £7.50, 12, The Wine Society )

País (known as Mission in California and Criolla in Argentina) was the grape that the Spaniards brought first to South America. For all its antiquity, it tends to make pretty basic wines, largely because it’s mostly over-cropped and grown in the wrong places. This Chilean example shows another side to the variety, made with carbonic maceration for maximum fruit impact and soft, sweetly textured tannins. Bright and juicy, with notes of raspberry, red cherrry and just a hint of pepper spice, it’s the perfect summery red. Pass me the ice bucket. 

BuyDrinking window: 2013-15Similar Wines: £5-£10, 86-90, Chile, Red, País