South America: Hand-Picked Values, Icons & Collectibles

Across Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and beyond, a new generation of winemakers is redefining what the region’s wines can be—balancing deep-rooted tradition with modern precision and a profound respect for place. From the windswept plains of Patagonia to the sun-soaked valleys of Mendoza and Colchagua, South American wines have never been more exciting, delicious, or collectible. In this issue, we explore the incredible diversity and value this continent has to offer:

• Unmissable South American Values
• Biodynamic Elegance in Argentina: Bodega Chacra
• From Extinction to Icon: The Rebirth of Carménère in Chile
• Bordeaux's Influence in South America Yields Top Collectibles

The quality of South American wines has never been higher. With significant investment in vineyard management, cutting-edge winemaking technology, and a strong commitment to sustainable practices that highlight each site's unique terroir, today’s wines from the region are truly exceptional. The most collectible bottles are better than ever, and even at the value end of the market, there are incredible finds that shouldn’t be missed. Below are a few of my favorites—perfect for holiday celebrations or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home. Learn more about these wines On the Trail.

-Rachael Ryan, K&L South American Wine Buyer

Bodega Chacra is not your average Argentine winery. Nestled in the remote Río Negro Valley of northern Patagonia, this biodynamic estate has quietly redefined what’s possible in South American winemaking—especially with Pinot Noir.

To understand why Chacra is special, however, you have to start with its founder: Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, a man born into an established wine family but eager to pursue his passion beyond his place of birth. As the grandson of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the legendary creator of Sassicaia—one of Italy’s most iconic wines—Piero had access to decades of Tuscan winemaking tradition. But rather than remain in Bolgheri, he turned south.

His moment of inspiration came in the early 2000s, when Piero tasted a Patagonian Pinot Noir at a blind tasting of Pinot Noirs in New York. The wine was striking—not flashy or flamboyant, but pure, mineral-driven and brimming with energy, as he recalls. To his surprise, it was from Patagonia. After a few years of searching for the ideal Patagonian vineyard to begin a winemaking project, in 2004, he bought a parcel of near-abandoned vines planted in 1932. That vineyard, now known simply as Treinta y Dos, became the heart of Chacra and still produces the top wine of the estate. Keep reading On the Trail.

Few grapes have a story as improbable—or as poetic—as Carménère’s journey from extinction to rebirth. Once a noble variety of Bordeaux, it was thought lost forever after the 19th-century phylloxera blight devastated France’s vineyards. Yet, half a world away, Carménère quietly survived in Chile’s Central Valley, mistaken for Merlot for more than a century. When ampelographers finally identified it in the early 1990s, they uncovered not only a viticultural mystery but a national treasure. In Chile’s temperate climate—blessed with dry summers, cool nights, and phylloxera-free soils—Carménère flourished, achieving the ripeness and aromatic depth it never found in Bordeaux. Today, it stands as Chile’s signature red grape, celebrated for its supple texture, dark fruit, and subtle herbal spice—a wine that embodies both resilience and rediscovery, and a powerful reminder that great varieties, like great traditions, sometimes find their truest voice far from home.

The top Bordeaux blends from Chile and Argentina often rival their European and North American counterparts in quality but remain undiscovered by many. With exceptional quality that seems to improve every vintage, however, these wines can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Bordeaux, Napa, or even Barolo — and at a very attractive price point. In recent decades, investment, technology, and international winemaking expertise have elevated quality. Winemakers are increasingly focusing on single-vineyard expressions, sustainable and organic practices, and minimal intervention. Below are just a handful of benchmark wines to consider adding to your collection: Keep reading here.