Yali National Reserva Cabernet Franc 2009, Colchagua (£8.19 Morrisons)
Has the typical Chilean blackcurrant pastille character, along with quite rich, earthy, chocolatey richness, but ultimately misses out on the Cab Franc fragrance, and feels just too warm and rich. B-

Torres Cordillera Carmenère/Merlot/Petit Verdot 2007, Central Valley (£11.99 Partridges, Gales of Llangollen, vintagemarque.com, everywine.co.uk)
Has minty, almost eucalyptus-like notes, along with a leathery plummy richness, good, but I’d prefer a little more Merlot to round out the slightly angular herbal notes of Carmenère. B+

Yali Three Lagoons Carmenère Gran Reserva 2008, Maipo (£9.99 Sainsbury’s)
Young, currently a tad oaky, but also has plump fleshy berry and blackcurrant fruit and herbal coffee bean notes. Good, but a little forced. B

Viña Maipo Gran Devoción Carmenère/Syrah 2008, Maule (£12.99 Gondola)
Intriguing aromatic style, with an almost Gewurz-like floral star-fruit character alongside the more conventional red berry flavours. Nice spice, nearly very good, but has a ‘made’ feeling – you can see a set of an elements, not a totally harmonious whole. B+

Agustinos Reserva Privada Syrah 2008, Cachapoal (£8.14 Bibendum)
Smells of raw, sage-infused sausagemeat, then the blackcurrant pastille character kicks in. OK, but would prefer less intensity and more complexity. B(+)

Casa Silva Quinta Generación Red 2008, Colchagua (RRP £14.95)
Gawky youngster, currently showing a slightly woody, almost spirity edge, but give it time to settle – several hours! – and a decent wine emerges, with the sage-like character of Syrah and the herbal green coffee bean of Carmenère adding interest to the dark fruit flavours. S-

Santa Carolina Specialties Carignan 2008, Valle de Cauquenes, Maule (RRP £12.99)
Pleasant smoky peppery blackcurrant and raisin character, but would benefit from something a little rounder and richer, like Grenache, to flesh out its core. B(+)