Chile — wine

Maule Valley

Chile's largest wine appellation and one of its most historically important, Maule Valley sits 250km south of Santiago in the Central Valley, where the highest concentration of old-vine Carmenere, Pais and Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile is found. Maule's continental climate, granitic decomposed soils and the dry-farming tradition of subsistence viticulture have preserved vineyard material of extraordinary historical significance — some Pais vines date back 250 years. A quality revolution led by natural winemakers has elevated Maule from bulk wine to one of South America's most exciting old-vine regions.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Outstanding Chilean year; Maule old-vine Carignan and Pais of remarkable concentration and mineral character
2022 Good season; dry-farmed bush vine concentration well-expressed across Carmenere and old Pais
2021 Fine balance; elegant old-vine Carmenere and complex Carignan showing Maule's terroir at its finest
2020 Reliable dry year; old-vine concentration from drought-stressed bush vines of exceptional character
2019 Benchmark Maule vintage; concentrated, mineral old-vine wines establishing the region's serious fine wine credentials