The grapes for this delicious Cabernet Franc come from the Alto Jahuel, a sub-region that comprises about one-fifth of the entire 150,000-acre Maipo Valley. Sebastián Labbé, Santa Rita’s winemaker responsible for their ultra-premium bottlings, including the Floresta line, believes that this sub-region is sufficiently distinctive to deserve its own appellation. Whether regulators agree remains to be seen. Notwithstanding the bureaucracy, this Cabernet Franc deserves your attention. A subtle herbal and leafy character season the wine’s red fruitiness, adding an alluring complexity. It is a medium-bodied, graceful red that could be enjoyed this summer.
93 Michael Apstein – July 23, 2025