Whether you consider South America a new frontier or a rediscovery, its historic wine regions are on the rise. The proof is in the pudding or, in this case, the wine.

2005 Casa Silva Carmenère Reserva ($12.99) Carmenère may have had a hard time ripening in Bordeaux’s fickle maritime climate, but in the warm Chilean sunshine it flourishes. This wine is a real pleasure to consume now; loaded with plum and cassis flavors its soft lush finish makes it irresistible. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate found it irresistible as well giving it 90 points.

2005 Mont Gras “Quatro” Reserva ($13.99) Called Quatro because it utilizes four grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot and carmenère, this wine exemplifies the new face of Chilean winemaking. Warm, dark blackberry fruit exudes from the glass. There’s a great little spice to this wine, possibly from the oak barrels.

2003 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec ($16.99) The vineyard that produced this full-bodied wine sits around 3,000 feet above sea level, in the Andean foothills. Hearty and rich with a touch of herbs and wood smoke, the Bosca Malbec is loaded with complexity and gusto. There’s a touch of rusticity to this wine that makes me think about what Argentine Malbec must have tasted like 100 years ago. Have with grilled red meat.

2005 Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec ($13.99) Here’s another beautiful little Malbec that gets your attention with the first sip. Thick, ripe blackberry fruit oozes from bottle to glass. The smoky, licorice background notes add complexity. Paul Hobbs is the consulting winemaker at this Argentine winery and the wine shows his deft touch.

—Chip Hammack