Bottle Of The Week

Merlot is the grape that has done most to catapult Chile into international markets

Merlot is the grape that has done most to catapult Chile into international markets. Often it is young, fruity and a shade too easy forgettable, but Marques de Casa Concha Merlot, Concha y Toro, 1995 (outlets above, £8.59-£8.99) is one of the newer breed - with much better breeding. Aged for a year in French oak and another in the bottle, this is serious stuff, a deeply enjoyable, firmly structured wine with a cedar and leather character that's more old world than new. Even Bordeaux-loving sceptics should succumb.