Tasting Notes: The Limarí Valley, 250 miles north of Santiago, along the southern border of the Atacama Desert, is one Chile’s up-and-coming viticultural regions. The sunny, arid climate, combined with cool maritime influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean, creates conditions that are ideal for growing wine grapes. In 1995, the valley had a mere 230 acres under vine; now there are over 4,500 acres, with more on the way. Tabalí, among the first wineries in the Limarí Valley, was founded in 1993 by Chilean businessman Guillermo Luksic. Armed with superb vineyard sources and a state-of-the-art facility, enologist Felipe Muller, who arrived at Tabalí in 2006, is making some of South America’s finest Pinot Noir. Even as global wine supplies increase and prices decrease, high-quality Pinot Noir for around $20 remains elusive. But the 2010 Tabalí Reserva really delivers. The winery’s estate Pinot Noir vineyard is planted on the Limarí River’s oldest alluvial terrace, where the almost cruelly infertile soils stress the vines, resulting in lower yields and more complex and concentrated wines. Look for aromas and flavors of red and black cherry, assorted baking spices, fennel, orange zest and shaved chocolate, along with earthy background notes of forest floor and a whiff of truffle. Aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, the wine’s satisfying weight and rich texture are offset by balanced acidity and fine tannins.