Chile's best wines, at $15 or so, are rich bargains. Look for top names like Lapostolle, Montes, Miramonte and Errazuriz and appellations of Apalta, Casablanca and Colchagua.
* Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Errazuriz, Casablanca, 2001 ($15): A lively dessert wine that tastes and smells of melons and tropical fruits, with a lush texture and crisp edges. Sauternes for the beach.
* Merlot, Cousino Macul, Maipo, 2003 ($12): You get blackberries and thorns in the initial bouquet and taste. After a few minutes, it balances itself into jammy cherry red and is surprisingly easy to drink. Still young.
* Merlot, Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre, Apalta, Colchagua Valley, 2001 ($23). Barrel aging gives woody notes at first but can't disguise rich flavors of blackberry jam, chocolate and gingery spice.
* Sauvignon blanc, Casa Lapostolle, Rapel Valley, 2003 ($12): Slight pine, vanilla and lemon scent in the nose yields to rich texture, big flavors of pineapple and melons, with a crisp citrus edge.
* Cabernet sauvignon (70 percent)/carmenere (30 percent), Montes, Colchagua Valley, Limited Selection, 1999 ($15): Bold red with medium body, with ripe fruit and hints of chocolate, vanilla and spice, with a soft, long finish. Don't miss it.
* Sauvignon blanc, Chateau La Joya, Reserve, Colchagua Valley, 2002 ($10): Ripeness and tropical flavors predominate, but the finish is crisp. Chardonnay should be this fat.
* Primus, Veramonte, Casablanca, 2001 ($20): Blend of carmenere, merlot and cab, with the native son coming first, making this a big, rich wine, strong and toasty, yet jammy with plums and blackberries. Well worth patience in the cellar or the glass.
* Syrah, Montes Alpha, Apalta, 2001 ($15): A rare grape for Chile but richly done, with full floral aromas, intense ruby color, ripe berry fruits with edges of smoke and tobacco. An original take on syrah/shiraz and a keeper.
