Cabernet Sauvignon: Maipo vs Colchagua, Round 2
A couple weeks ago, I published a comparison of two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile — one of them from the Maipo Valley and the other from Colchagua Valley. That was round one of this face off, today I have round two.
In round one, the bottles I compared were both 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, both from the 2018 vintage and both with a retail price of $20. The wines for round two are the Echeverría Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 from Maipo Valley and the Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from the Colchagua Valley. Both are sold as Cabernet Sauvignon varietal wines, but have small amounts of other grapes added. They both are made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% Carménère. The Echeverría is from the 2016 vintage and is priced at $25, while the Los Vascos is from 2018 and is priced at $22. Therefore, just like the wines in round one, these wines are very similarly matched.
An interesting observation I had before I even opened these two bottles was a profound difference in the weight of the bottles. Unopened, the Echeverría weighed in at just over 1.85 kilograms, while the Los Vascos weighed in at just over 1.21 kilograms. The Echeverría weighs over 50% more than the Los Vascos and all of that extra weight is just glass! Why does this matter? Carbon footprint, that’s why. The heavier a product is, the more energy (i.e., fuel) needed to transport that product. The Chilean wine industry has a robust sustainability program with high participation among winemakers, including Echeverría, however this seems like an opportunity for them to dial in their sustainability practices just a touch more.
Comparing the wine
In round one, I gave the edge to the wine from the Maipo Valley. Although to be fair, they were both good wines so it wasn’t a runaway winner. Let’s find out how Cabernet Sauvignon from these two regions compares in round two!
Echeverría Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
I often use “smooth” or “silky” as descriptors for the mouthfeel of a wine, but this wine actually smells smooth and silky. That smooth and silky nose includes aromas like cassis, dusty bramble, blackberry, chocolate, cedar and black pepper. The palate follows through with a very smooth and silky mouthfeel and flavors like boysenberry, cassis, raisin and black pepper. While the flavors are concentrated they still have a softness which makes this wine taste quite elegant. It has enough acidity to add brightness but it isn’t a pronounced acidity. The finish is long with dark berry and spice flavors.
Wine: Echeverría, Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon
Varieties: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% Carménère
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 91
Suggested retail price: $25.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
The aromas from this wine are more narrow, with what I might describe as “high frequency” or “high pitch” aromas dominating the senses versus a full spectrum aromatic profile. It presents slightly more red fruit than black, but it certainly offers both and reads like blend of cherry and blackberry along with some leather, black pepper, bay leaf and cedar spice fragrances. The palate delivers more of a full spectrum experience, offering rich blackberry, cherry, balsamic and earl grey tea flavors with enough acidity to make it sing. The mouthfeel is wonderful, with silky tannins adding texture to this wine. It finishes long with lingering cherry, blackberry and tea tannin flavors.
Wine: Los Vascos, Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Varieties: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% Carménère
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 91
Suggested retail price: $22.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
The decision
Well… look at that! We’re neck and neck, with both wines earning 91 point ratings. It turns out this is not a question of which region is better than the other. Rather, it’s which style do you personally prefer? These are both exceptional wines and I enjoyed them both. My personal preference, however, once again goes to the Maipo Valley. The plushness and elegance of this wine put it over the edge for me. I guess I’m on Team Maipo.
Have you compared these two regions? If so, let me know your thoughts on which wines stand out for you and why.
Cheers!
