Viñedo Chadwick Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
(Puente Alto D.O., Maipo Valley, Chile) - [JS 98] [WA 97] [TWI 95] [WE 95] [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:
A challenging season where we faced warmer and drier conditions that required precise viticultural management to excel. And so, a balanced ripening of the grapes rewarded us with a beautifully intense wine, elegant tannins and great complexity. The trend of limited water reserves continued into this season, so it was essential to irrigate during winter to ensure good bud break, which began on September 20th, as usual. The warm spring resulted in perfect conditions for a very healthy and homogeneous flowering and veraison which finished on January 15th, ten days earlier than usual. The remarkable balance of Viñedo Chadwick’s terroir given its proximity to the Andes, its gravel soils and the precise work of our team, benefited the ripening period giving way to a very gentle maturation. The fruit achieved a perfect equilibrium between its phenolic development and the accumulation of sugars. Our team decided to anticipate harvest to pick at our desired level of maturity from March 12th and 29th conserving fresh aromatic compounds and good acidity. This is a vintage of exceptional quality from a ripe year, with slightly lower yields. A delightfully expressive wine with depth and concentration, very elegant tannins, multiple layers of complexity, deep colour, freshness and purity.

Tasting Notes:
"Viñedo Chadwick 2020 displays an intense ruby red colour with violet shimmer. The nose exhibits great complexity with different layers of fresh red fruit, cacao, nutmeg and subtle balsamic notes. The palate is alluring with red and black fruits, suggesting cassis and a touch of dark chocolate mixed with sweet spices. This Viñedo Chadwick is a complex wine with great density, juicy freshness and fine-grained tannins that arouse a chalky texture. Its intensity delights on the mouth with a persistent finish and pronounced depth." - Francisco Baettig, Winemaker - February 2022

Technical Information

Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Ageing: 22 months, 75% in new French oak barrels and 25% in foudres.

Alcohol: 13%

Ratings & Reviews:

98 Points – James Suckling:
“Deep nose, but also precise and nuanced, with high-grade cigar box, fresh red berries, currants, charcoal, grilled meat and olives. Fine cocoa bean and mint, too. Ultra-fine and polished with a very precise, rather linear palate for cabernet. Precise, restrained, classy and long with a hint of creme de cassis in the end. 100% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.” (Apr 2022)

97 Points – Wine Advocate:
“The 2020 Viñedo Chadwick fermented in stainless steel and concrete or troncoconic vats, and this year more of the wine matured in Stockinger foudre—more than 25% of the volume—for 22 months. They did a softer extraction to compensate for the warmer year, and the moderate alcohol helped to keep the oak extraction to a minimum; as a result, the wine comes through as very harmonious and elegant. It has good ripeness and an absence of herbal and minty aromas; the wine from older vines behaves better—the grapes ripen and the alcohol (with good management of the irrigation) with moderate yields produce this unique Cabernet. The palate is round and velvety, keeping very good freshness and a texture and mouthfeel that does not reflect a warmer year at all. This is delicate and juicy with very good intensity of fruit and no room for sweetness or over-ripeness. A triumph over the natural conditions of the year. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled the 1st of February 2022.” – Luis Gutierrez (Apr 2023)

95 Points – Wine Enthusiast:
“Complex and elegant, this premium wine from Puente Alto in Maipo Valley opens with aromas of blackberry, cherry and thyme. It's full bodied with a mineral character and energetic acidity. Honest strawberry and red-plum flavors combine on the juicy midpalate and linger throughout the finish with light notes of mint and tobacco.” – Jessica Vargas (Dec 2022)

95 Points – The Wine Independent:
The 2020 Vinedo Chadwick is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard of 15 hectares in the foothills of the Andes. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens a little broody, requiring some swirling to release notes of warm cassis, redcurrant jelly, black cherry preserves, and pencil shavings, plus suggestions of tar and dried Provence herbs. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is vibrant and delicately styled, delivering firm, chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing earthy. Drink 2024-2039. 13% ABV."