Review: Maquis, Cabernet Sauvignon

As the seasons turn and the weather begins to cool, my wine interests also change — leaning once again more toward red wines. How about a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon to satisfy that craving? Yes, that sounds delicious!

Earlier this year, I did a couple posts comparing Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo region to those from the Colchagua region. Here’s a link to round one of that matchup and here’s a link to round two. What I found in those experiments is that both regions produce fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are some nuances that make those wines different. Which you like more, really comes down to personal preferences.

Quite frankly, when I go back to look at those previous comparisons I don’t see a clear pattern that I could attribute to the overall terroir of each region. It seemed to me, that the differences from one producer to the next were more profound than overall regional patterns. And since both regions produced really good wine, I’m going to continue exploring wines from both.

Maquis, Cabernet Sauvignon

The wine I’m exploring today, Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon, comes from the Colchagua region. Viña Maquis is one of the oldest wineries in the Colchagua Valley and sits in the heart of the valley, right between two rivers — the Tinguiririca River and the Chimbarongo Creek. These rivers not only provide water, but create pathways for coastal breezes that cool the climate of this region. The vineyards for this wine begin right where these two waterways intersect.

Although the wine is labeled as a Cabernet Sauvignon, it does include small amounts of other grapes as well. Specifically, the wine is made of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot.

Tasting Notes

Black cherry, blackberry and cassis aromas give a full, fruit bouquet on the nose of this wine, but fruit isn’t the only thing happening here. It also offers chocolate, bramble, black pepper and cedar nuances. On the palate this is a beautiful wine, serving up rich blackberry, black cherry, cassis and black pepper flavors with a pleasant mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. It’s well balanced and delicious. It finishes relatively long, with lingering fruit and spice flavors.

Wine: Maquis, Cabernet Sauvignon
Varieties: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenere and 1% Petit Verdot
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 91
Suggested retail price: $20.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.