Vinedo Chadwick Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
(Puente Alto D.O., Maipo Valley, Chile) - [JS 99] [WA 96] [VM 94]

About this Wine:
Viñedo Chadwick is a tribute to Don Alfonso Chadwick that showcases the tradition and expertise of the Chadwick family in producing fine wines. The vineyard, originally his personal polo field, is considered the cradle of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. Located in Puente Alto D.O. Maipo Valley, Viñedo Chadwick made history at the legendary ‘Berlin Tasting’ in January 2004, in which Viñedo Chadwick 2000 was placed first, above the Super Tuscans from Italy, and the First Growth wines from Bordeaux of that vintage.

Vintage Notes:
The 2016 growing season in the Alto Maipo created the stage for another outstanding vintage of this special vineyard. July rains brought an end to the dry winter and continued until November, replenishing depleted water levels. The rain also came with marginally cooler temperatures during the spring, delaying bud-break by a week. October was cooler still as the vines’ canopies developed slowly until temperatures picked up towards the end of November. From then on, warm weather ensured a healthy, if uneven, flowering and fruit set. However, a perfect summer once again provided a long and steady hang time. The grapes were all picked in the morning for optimum freshness between April 5 and 13 – sixteen days later than the 2015 vintage. This was highly propitious as heavy rains arrived shortly afterwards, recording 123mm in just two weeks.

For the first time, Viñedo Chadwick included a small amount of Petit Verdot – just 3% from vines planted in 2011. The end result was a beautifully balanced wine of modest alcohol (13%), precise bright fruit and great elegance.

Ratings & Reviews:

99 Points – James Suckling:
“The blue fruit and dark berry aromas are so attractive and catching. Black licorice and blackberry notes. Full body, chewy yet polished tannins. I like the way the wine rolls over the tongue. Beautiful finish. One of the most structured Viñedo Chadwicks ever. A great bottle. Needs four to five years to soften.” (Feb 2018)

96 Points – Wine Advocate:
“The price of the 2016 Viñedo Chadwick seems to be going through the roof, and so does the quality. This is a unique, classical Maipo Cabernet that is marketed separately and sold through the négociants in Bordeaux, the same as with Seña, rather than through the regular importers. Sourced from 15 hectares planted 26 years ago (in 1992), the grapes fermented in small stainless steel and concrete vats and matured in 2,500-liter oak vats and 225-liter barriques. It has 3% Petit Verdot and is remarkably low in alcohol at 13%, with a lot of freshness and acidity. This follows the line of change that started in 2015, with more freshness and harmony, and for the first time, it includes a small percentage of Petit Verdot that was planted around 2007. The yields are low, and the grapes ripened nicely before the rains that complicated the end of the harvest. 2016 is a cool year that resulted in a slow and perfect ripening of the grapes. This is now a very elegant wine, getting closer to the style of Seña. Complex, layered, fresh and tasty, it has very fine tannins and is nicely structured but terribly elegant at the same time. 12,000 bottles were filled in February 2018.” – Luis Gutierrez (Oct 2018)

94 Points – Vinous Media:
“The 2016 Viñedo Chadwick came from a cool year in which the Cabernet Sauvignon lost enough energy to require a boost from the 3% Petit Verdot, both of which were harvested before the record rains in April (127mm). Aged for 22 months in French barrels (a fifth new) and 10% in foudres. It has an austere nose in which red fruit combines with layers of herbs, pyrazine, mint and a core of blackcurrant. Intense and juicy on the palate with accomplished freshness, the key to this wine is the delicate but lively acidity that fine tunes the flavors at the back of the palate.” – Joaquin Hidalgo (Aug 2022)