The saturated purple 2006 Amplus Carignan, aged in new oak for 18 months, delivers scents of underbrush, brier, earth notes, and blackberry. Intense and ripe with plenty of old-vine character, it will blossom over the next 5-7 years and offer prime drinking from 2015 to 2026. Santa Ema makes reliably excellent wines at fair prices from the bottom to the top of its portfolio.Importer: TGIC Imports, Woodland Hills, CA; Tel: (800) 924-0030

The 2007 Amplus Old-Vine Carignan exhibits an intriguing nose of exotic spices, balsamic, earth notes, underbrush, plum, and boysenberry. This is followed by a medium- to full-bodied, concentrated, slightly rustic offering with plenty of up-front flavor, some complexity, and a lengthy finish. It is likely to evolve for 2-3 years but can be approached now. Importer: TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel: (818)225-5100

Bold, dark, full and saucy, with aromas of plum and blackberry. Jammy but lively on the palate, with vanilla sweetness offsetting plum, blackberry, leather and savory notes. This is true Peumo Carignan with potency and blazing acidity. It’s not as flavorful and complete as the 2006, but maybe it just needs another year or two in bottle. ——M.S.(12/1/2010)—— 89

A rock-solid wine with bright currant, berry and rooty, cola-infused aromas. The mouthfeel is excellent and integrated, with earthy, savory, spicy flavors of blackberry, cherry and tea. Long and savory on the finish, with complexity. Wines like this are what make the Chilean Carignan category worth exploring. Drink now through 2012. ——M.S.(12/1/2010)—— 90