Chile — wine

Cachapoal Valley

Northern sub-valley of Rapel in O'Higgins Region; one of Chile's most exciting emerging areas for Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Syrah. Andean foothills at 300–700m with granite and gravel soils; significant diurnal temperature variation. Peumo district particularly notable for world-class Carmenère from ancient clay soils.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Strong La Niña conditions brought cooler summer; extended hang time produced elegant, structured Cabernet and Carmenère
2021 Good growing season; Carmenère from Peumo clay showing exceptional depth; Andean sites very precise
2020 Outstanding year across Rapel; Altair flagship from this year received 95+ from multiple major critics
2019 Classic Cachapoal vintage; Cabernet-Carmenère blends showing balance between power and freshness
2018 Warm vintage; early harvest; fruit-forward Carmenère with earlier accessibility
2017 Good conditions; Carmenère particularly well-suited to the warm year; ripe and complex
2016 Benchmark Chilean vintage; Andean foothills delivered wines of exceptional concentration and finesse