At a glance

Producer

Viña Bouchon

Region

Maule Valley, Chile

Grape variety

Carignan

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$18-$25 USD

Tasting profile

Aromas of wild red berries, dried herbs, violets, subtle earth and spice; palate is medium-bodied with juicy acidity, pronounced minerality, and well-integrated oak.

Evolution: Tertiary notes emerge with time: dried cherry, leather, forest floor, savory spice.

At peak: At peak: balanced fruit, evolved tannins, subtle earth and floral complexity.

Structure

Acidity

Fresh, elevated

Tannins

Medium to high, firm but ripe

Alcohol

13.5% ABV

Aging potential

Medium (up to 8-10 years from vintage in ideal cellaring conditions)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2022 to 2025

Optimal window

2021 to 2026

Current status

Optimal drinking, will continue to evolve

Current condition

Fresh, vibrant, showing mature structure but retaining primary fruit and lively acidity

The 2018 vintage, from old-bush Carignan vines in Maule and low-intervention winemaking, produces a wine with vibrant acidity and firm tannins, needing a few years to integrate. By 2022-2025, the wine is in prime drinking window, with both primary fruit and emerging complexity.

Food pairing

Grilled lamb, beef asado, pork loin, slow-cooked beans, roasted root vegetables, hard cheeses like aged Manchego.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has medium to high tannins which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Dry-farmed old vines (no irrigation); low-input viticulture; native flora preservation; cover cropping; low-intervention winemaking; light bottles; solar energy at winery; water recycling initiatives.

Viña Bouchon is a recognized leader in sustainable viticulture in the Maule Valley. The focus is on dry farming—which significantly reduces water use—and native biodiversity preservation. The winery implements renewable energy and water recycling. Packaging uses lightweight bottles and minimal labeling/glue, further reducing environmental impact. However, exported bottles carry an inherent carbon footprint from long-distance transport outside Chile. The lack of organic or biodynamic certification keeps the score below the maximum, but the overall sustainability is strong relative to regional norms.