At a glance

Producer

Viñedo Chadwick (Viña Errázuriz)

Region

Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon (with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Merlot depending on vintage)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$320-$450 USD per 750ml bottle (global retail as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Dense cassis and black cherry, violet, tobacco leaf, graphite, cedar, fine baking spice from French oak. Youthful, vibrant, intense, and mineral-driven.

Evolution: Over time the wine will develop more savory, tertiary notes (cedar, cigar box, earth), integrating tannins and acquiring a plush, harmonious palate.

At peak: Silky, complex, and layered tertiary bouquet. Harmonious palate showing integrated tannin, sweet spice, black fruit compote, and mineral depth.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high, balancing ripe fruit concentration

Tannins

Firm, fine-grained, and polished; substantial but not harsh

Alcohol

14.0-14.5% ABV (typical analyst scores for the vintage)

Aging potential

Excellent; at least 20+ years in optimal storage conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2037

Optimal window

2026 to 2044

Current status

Youthful but approachable; primary fruit and oak are present, tannins are prominent but polished

Current condition

Very good for early consumption among top young Cabernets, though best with 3-5 years further bottle age. Structured and ageworthy.

Viñedo Chadwick is one of Chile's most ageworthy and celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, produced from a single estate vineyard in the acclaimed Alto Maipo subregion. The 2021 vintage, classic in style and well-balanced, promises a long life with evolution toward complexity and elegance. Peak drinking is expected once primary fruit and structure integrate, allowing nuanced earth and cigar-box traits to emerge.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted lamb, aged beef, venison, slow-cooked short ribs, mushroom risotto, Comté or aged Manchego cheese.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has firm tannins and is medium-bodied, which can benefit from aeration to soften the tannins and enhance the aromatic profile.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Comprehensive sustainable vineyard management (minimal synthetic pesticides/fertilizers, integrated pest management); efficient drip irrigation (water conservation); on-site solar energy; native vegetation corridors; lightweight glass bottles and recyclable packaging; biodiversity promotion and soil conservation.

Viña Errázuriz and Viñedo Chadwick are global leaders in sustainable wine production for South America, with strong third-party certifications and transparent annual sustainability reporting. Focus areas include energy efficiency (solar power), chemical reduction, water usage optimization, biodiversity, and low-impact packaging. While not fully organic or biodynamic, the estate achieves strong sustainability performance through state-of-the-art practices and is set to reduce emissions further via the IWCA initiative.