2017 Vinedo Chadwick, Maipo Valley

2017 was a very low-yielding and warm year, and the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for the 2017 Viñedo Chadwick were harvested earlier than ever, in early March, to avoid excessive ripeness and keep good freshness. This has the classical minty Maipo profile, with more grip, concentration and tannin—polished, fine-grained tannin—than the 2016. It has good weight and combines power with elegance, in a clean and classical style. The oak is nicely integrated, and in 2014 they started using larger 2,500-liter foudres even for the Cabernet Sauvignon; the profile of the wine has changed toward more integration and less presence of the oak aromas and flavors. This is textbook Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon with a small touch of Petit Verdot in an elegant way. Even if I like the style of the 2016 very much, I'll give the edge to this 2017. 7,126 bottles were filled in February 2019.

The 2017 Viñedo Chadwick was made during a warm year that was dealt with well here. The wine is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot harvested from March 10 onward, resulting in 13.5% alcohol and aged for 22 months in 80% new barrels, a fifth in foudres. Purple in the glass. The nose presents red fruit, both fresh and ripe, a few herbal notes, blackcurrant jam and cedar. In the mouth, it’s relaxed with grippy, juicy tannins and a lovely freshness that keeps things balanced in spite of the power. An intense wine.