Santa Rita Casa Real 2012 Magnum

Viña Santa Rita is one of Chile’s most historic and prestigious wineries, founded in 1880 in the Maipo Valley, a region widely regarded as the country’s finest source of Cabernet Sauvignon. Casa Real is the estate’s flagship wine, produced from vineyards in Alto Jahuel at the foothills of the Andes, where cooling mountain breezes and significant diurnal temperature variation allow for slow, even ripening and excellent retention of acidity. The vineyards are planted on well-drained alluvial soils of gravel, sand and clay, which naturally limit vigour and encourage deep root systems, contributing to concentration and structure in the fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in this environment due to the long, dry growing season, abundant sunlight and the moderating influence of the Andes, which together allow the grape to achieve full phenolic ripeness while maintaining balance and freshness. Vineyard practices focus on precision viticulture, including canopy management, controlled yields and careful parcel selection to ensure optimal quality and expression of terroir. The 2012 vintage in Maipo Valley was considered outstanding, with warm, stable conditions producing wines of ripeness, depth and harmony.

Santa Rita Casa Real 2012 (Magnum) is made from 100 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the estate’s finest parcels and hand-harvested at optimal maturity. The wine is fermented in stainless steel with extended maceration to enhance structure, colour and aromatic complexity, before ageing for approximately 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new. The magnum format allows for slower evolution, resulting in greater refinement and longevity over time. The wine displays classic aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and plum, layered with cedar, tobacco, graphite and subtle spice. On the palate it is full bodied yet poised, with fine grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish. It pairs beautifully with roast beef, lamb, game and mature cheeses. Now showing excellent development, the 2012 is drinking beautifully while retaining the capacity to age for a further 10-15 years. Critically acclaimed, it has received scores of 95 points, with one critic describing it as “a powerful yet elegant Cabernet with depth, precision and remarkable ageing potential.”