Wine & Spirits - June 2020 - 65

91 | Santa Rita

$20

91 | Tabalí

$15

2017 Maipo Valley Medalla Real Gran
Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon ^ Santa Rita's
estate rises up from a plateau into the
Andean foothills in Alto Jahuel. The cold current of the Maipo River, just to the north,
seems to course through this wine, giving the
silken texture a brisk feel, washing away the
gamey funk to last on notes of strawberries
and some tense, coffee-scented tannins. ¤ Delicato Family Vineyards, Napa, CA
125553
2019 Maipo Valley Pedregoso Gran
Reserva DOM Cabernet Sauvignon (Best
Buy) ^ The DOM vineyard is in the coastal
mountains above the Maipo River, a cool,
windy site facing south. That exposure, away
from the sun, gives this wine a bright strawberry coolness while its meaty tannins taste
like steak tartare. Restrained and gentle, the
wine lasts on floral spice. You won't find cabernet sauvignon with this quiet gentleness
anywhere but in Chile. Plus, it's crazy cheap.
Buy a case. ¤ Biagio Cru and Estate Wines, New
Hyde Park, NY
125460

90 | Viña Aquitania

$40

2016 Maipo Valley Lazuli Cabernet Sauvignon ^ This cabernet grows in the foothills
of the Andes in Macul, just south of Santiago. On a steep rise to 2,100 feet above sea
level, the vineyard was planted 30 years ago
by Bruno Prats, Paul Pontallier and Felipe de
Solminihac. The best selection from those
estate vines now goes to Lazuli, filling this
wine with bold flavors of pomegranate and
woodland scents of forest floor. It's fresh,
with a satin-rich texture and an airy tannic
grip. A little warmth of alcohol stands apart
for the moment, but this is built to age. ¤ Vine
Connections, Sausalito, CA
125513

90 | Viña Chocalan

$18

2017 Maipo Valley Gran Reserva Origen
Carmenère ^ This is a bright, brisk carmenère
from vineyards in Maipo's coastal hills. It's
close enough to the sea (22 miles) to sustain
a coolness, from the crunch of cranberries
to fragrant tobacco scents in the earthy tannins. Pour it with duck rillettes. ¤ Chocalan
USA, Coral Springs, FL

125324

90 | Santa Ema

$17

89 | Viña Chocalan

$18

2018 Maipo Valley Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Best Buy) ^ This wine's red fruit has
a lean intensity, refreshingly cool, with juicy
cherry and cranberry flavors. Scents of violets, tobacco and herbs last with the fruit. A
bright cabernet for herb-roasted lamb. ¤ Pacific
Highway Wines & Spirits, Greensboro, NC
125512
2018 Maipo Valley Gran Reserva Origen
Cabernet Sauvignon (Best Buy) ^ Black
pepper, bell pepper and Virginia tobacco
all come to mind with the first taste of this
big, bold cabernet. It's smoky and spicy, with
some cola notes in the tannins. For a braise. ¤
Chocalan USA, Coral Springs, FL
125406

87 | Viña Casablanca

modern
hawaiian
128 first ave
new york,

ny 10009
noreetuh.com

$12

2019 Maipo Valley Ayra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Best Buy) ^ A gentle Chilean
WS-noreetuh-Print_ad.indd
red, this wine's scents of mint, and flavors
of strawberries in syrup, make it a light red
to chill for summer. ¤ Carolina Wine Brands,
Charleston, SC
125493

86 | Morandé

$13

2018 Maipo Valley Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Best Buy) ^ This is a tart,
juicy red with some green herb notes, troubled only by youthful reduction. Give it six
to 12 months in bottle, then open it for roast
lamb. ¤ Via Pacifica Imports, Sebastopol, CA n

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Wine & Spirits - June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wine & Spirits - June 2020