2017 Errazuriz 'Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve' Aconcagua Valley

Winemaker Notes: The 2017 vintage of Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve captivates with aromas reminiscent of red fruits such as cherries and raspberries. Further back some nice notes of cocoa and clove appear, culminating with a slight oral hint that reminds of violets. Aligned with what is perceived on the nose, the palate offers cherries, raspberries and cassis flavors, plus the sweet notes of cocoa and clove. It is a generous wine, with good tension and juiciness that provide freshness, framed by mature tannins that marvelously surround the mouth, along with a long and very pleasant persistence.

Blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 8% Carmenere, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Decanter - "The Errazuriz Estate was founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz and this is the 150th anniversary bottling of the wine named in his honour. A Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Malbec (12%), Carmenere (8%), Petit Verdot (7%) and Cabernet Franc (6%). Winemaker Francisco Baettig describes the 2017 as 'the freshest Don Maximiano that we've made in modern times'. Rich black cherry and blackberry aromas are edged in vanilla, spice and chocolate with a whisper of florality. Careful oak management (22 months in French oak, 72% new) is reflected in a balanced palate, with mature, rounded tannins; the cassis, cherry and raspberry fruit is overlaid with cocoa, leather and spice notes, buoyed with notable freshness."


James Suckling - "Currants, flowers, sandalwood and crushed stone. Some cocoa. Medium to full body and linear, tight tannins. Bright and fresh. Energetic. Shows serious tension and focus. Excellent finish. Drink after 2022."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "I like the austerity of the 2017 Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve—it's more reserved than the 2016, more discrete and less aromatic, with a lot of power on the palate. 2017 is a structured vintage, and the challenge was to find elegance, freshness and balance, as the weather was warm and dry. It's a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 8% Carmenere, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc—a classical Chilean Bordeaux blend—with notes of black fruit, cassis and blackberry, serious and with better-integrated oak. They are very careful with the use of oak, using barrels that mark the wine less, especially in warm vintages, and using fewer new barrels. The wine has structure and tannin but also has the juiciness to balance it all. Rating: 93+"


Wine Enthusiast - "Patented Chilean aromas of herbas, blackberry and dark plum are spicy and feature a fair amount of oak and related wood smoke. On the palate, this Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend is juicy and high in energy. Plum, currant and wild berry flavors maintain a sense of freshness on the finish. Overall, this is showy and complex. Best from 2022 to 2030. Cellar Selection."