Originally published 2021, with updates in 2026.
Overview. Chile has been producing wine since the middle of the sixteenth century and is one of the few major wine-producing countries unaffected by phylloxera. Most of its vines therefore grow on their own roots rather than being grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootstock (The Wine Diplomats, n.d.; Puckette, 2016). Some of the oldest vines are in the Central Valley, around and south of Santiago (Puckette, 2016). The Central Valley is best known for producing reds, including Bordeaux-style blends, Carménère, Syrah, and País. It also produces whites, including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (Puckette, 2016).
The Central Valley is divided into several wine-producing valleys, including Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, and Maule. Rapel Valley is further divided into Cachapoal Valley to the north and Colchagua Valley to the south (Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile, 1995/2026). Compared with the older Maipo Valley region, Colchagua’s modern fine-wine industry developed more recently, and many of its facilities employ contemporary technology (Wine.com, n.d.).
Colchagua Valley has a warm, dry Mediterranean climate and is known for its dramatic landscape (Chile Travel, n.d.; Wine-Searcher, n.d.-d). It is bounded by the Coastal Range on the western, Pacific side and the foothills of the Andes on the eastern border. White varieties tend to be grown on the cooler western side, while reds are more prominent toward the warmer interior (Puckette, 2016; Wine-Searcher, n.d.-d). Hillside vineyards can have poorer, better-drained soils and greater daily temperature variation, which helps balance ripeness and acidity (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-d).
Subregions of Colchagua include Apalta, Lolol, and Peralillo (Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile, 1995/2026). Apalta primarily grows the classic reds for which Colchagua is known and is home to prominent producers such as Montes and Clos Apalta (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-a). Apalta lies near the city of Santa Cruz in a horseshoe-shaped setting enclosed by coastal hills and influenced by the Tinguiririca River, which transports meltwater from the Andes (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-a). Wine-Searcher translates Apalta as “poor soils,” referring to low-fertility conditions that can favor high-quality wine grapes (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-a).
Lolol is located in southwestern Colchagua Valley, where greater maritime influence creates a cooler climate. It has developed a reputation for Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc as well as Cabernet Sauvignon (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-b). Peralillo is located north of Lolol and west of Apalta and produces both reds and whites. Grapevines have been cultivated there since at least the middle of the eighteenth century (Wine-Searcher, n.d.-c).
Major Varieties. Colchagua Valley is especially associated with Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, and Bordeaux-style and other red blends (Puckette, 2016, 2019).
Colchagua Valley is known for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon in a more elegant, Bordeaux-influenced style, often with black fruit and pencil-lead-like minerality (Puckette, 2016). The Apalta sub-appellation is known for particularly fine Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and red blends (Puckette, 2016, 2019). Although particularly known for its reds, Colchagua Valley also produces ripe, Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc (Puckette, 2016).
For wines available around the time of this tasting, red vintages of particular renown included 2009 and 2011–2014. White vintages to look for included 2012–2014 and 2016, although vintage quality varies by region, variety, and producer (Puckette, 2016).
Cabernet Sauvignon. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is often relatively light in color and less tannic than examples from some warmer regions. Refined Colchagua wines can combine black cherry and plum with smoked bell pepper, mint, cocoa, and pencil-lead-like minerality (Puckette, 2016).
Carménère. Carménère is generally a medium-bodied, mildly tannic red with plum and black-cherry notes. Its relatively high concentration of methoxypyrazines can contribute savory flavors of black pepper, bell pepper, and herbs (Puckette, 2016). Chilean Carménères are also often notable for minty and herbal notes (Puckette, 2019).
País (also known as Listán Prieto). Some of the oldest vines in the Central Valley are País, a variety that originated in the Spanish islands. It generally produces highly drinkable, light-colored, red-fruited wines with herbal and savory notes (Puckette, 2016). Raspberry and peony are also associated with the variety (Puckette, 2019).
Pinot Noir. Chilean Pinot Noir tends to have low tannins and a round mouthfeel, along with a base of black cherry and plum and notes of allspice, bergamot, herbs, meatiness, or cream (Puckette, 2016). Chile’s best-known Pinot Noir regions are generally cooler coastal areas such as Casablanca, San Antonio, and Leyda rather than the warmer interior of Colchagua (Puckette, 2016).
Sauvignon Blanc. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc tends to be ripe and bright, with lemon-lime, white peach, grapefruit, and mineral notes (Puckette, 2016). Some Chilean Sauvignon Blancs are also notable for their chalky or saline character (Puckette, 2019).
Syrah. Chilean Syrah can have firm tannins and combine plum fruit with meaty and spicy notes. Rapel Valley, including Colchagua and Cachapoal, has produced some of Chile’s finest examples (Puckette, 2016).
Classification & Production. Under Chile’s official classification, Colchagua Valley is a zone within Rapel Valley, which is a subregion of the larger Central Valley wine region. Apalta, Lolol, Peralillo, Santa Cruz, Marchigüe, and other named locations within Colchagua are officially recognized winegrowing areas (Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile, 1995/2026).
For a wine to carry a Chilean geographical designation, at least 75 percent of the wine must come from grapes grown in the place named on the label. A named grape variety must constitute at least 75 percent of the wine, and at least 75 percent must come from the stated vintage when a vintage is shown (Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile, 1995/2026).
Chile also regulates terms such as Reserva, Reserva Especial, Reserva Privada, and Gran Reserva. Reserva Especial requires an alcohol level at least 0.5 degree above the legal minimum and treatment with wood, while Gran Reserva requires an alcohol level at least one degree above the legal minimum and treatment with wood (Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile, 1995/2026).
Our Wines
Calcu, Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon “Gran Reserva,” Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2020
Wine Authorities description. Wine Authorities presents this as a ripe, tropical expression of Sauvignon Blanc, contrasting it with the leaner style commonly associated with Marlborough, New Zealand (Wine Authorities, n.d.-a).
Wine Authorities notes. “Pineapple & juicy citrus, ripe & tropical, vibrant & wholesome” (Wine Authorities, n.d.-a).
Viña Apaltagua, Pinot Noir “Reserva,” San Antonio Valley, Chile, 2018
Regional note. Although included in this Colchagua-focused tasting, this wine came from San Antonio Valley rather than Apalta or Colchagua (Wine Authorities, n.d.-b).
Wine Authorities description. Wine Authorities describes this as a delicate but unusually substantial value-priced Pinot Noir, with black fruit, rounded texture, and a subtle influence of spicy oak (Wine Authorities, n.d.-b).
Wine Authorities notes. “Plum & craisin, juicy, lush, subtle spicy oak” (Wine Authorities, n.d.-b).
Viña Maquis, Carménère “Gran Reserva,” Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
Wine Authorities description. The Maquis estate occupies a stretch of land between the Tinguiririca River and Chimbarongo Creek. These parallel waterways carry cooling coastal breezes that help the grapes maintain acidity as they ripen. Wine Authorities characterizes the wine as a more delicate expression of Carménère than the heavily oaked style sometimes associated with the variety (Wine Authorities, n.d.-c).
Wine Authorities notes. “Deep red fruit, pepper & mocha, dusting of clove & rosemary” (Wine Authorities, n.d.-c).
Calcu, Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserva Especial,” Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
Description. This wine is a blend of 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 percent Cabernet Franc, 2 percent Malbec, and 1 percent Petit Verdot (Viñedos Calcu, 2017). The grapes came from Calcu’s Ramadilla Estate in the rolling hills of Marchigüe, where Pacific breezes moderate growing-season temperatures. The soils are granitic, clay-rich, and low in organic matter (Viñedos Calcu, 2017). The grapes were picked and sorted by hand, fermented in stainless steel, and aged for eight months in French oak barrels (Viñedos Calcu, 2017).
Our notes. Tobacco, oak, and chocolate over black fruit, including cassis, blackberry, and plum, with additional notes of earth, leather, and smoke.
References
Chile Travel. (n.d.). Guide for a perfect day in the Colchagua Valley. https://chile.travel/en/itineraries/guide-for-a-perfect-day-in-the-colchagua-valley/
Ministerio de Agricultura de Chile. (1995/2026). Decreto 464: Establece zonificación vitícola y fija normas para su utilización (texto actualizado al 14 de julio de 2026). Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile. https://www.bcn.cl/leychile/navegar?idNorma=13601
Puckette, M. (2016, November 4). The best wines to try from Chile. Wine Folly. https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/the-best-wines-to-try-from-chile/
Puckette, M. (2019, June 11). 7 wines from Chile that will blow your freakin’ mind. Wine Folly. https://winefolly.com/tips/7-wines-from-chile-that-will-blow-your-freakin-mind/
The Wine Diplomats. (n.d.). Chilean wine history. https://winediplomats.com/chilean-wine-overview/chilean-wine-history/
Viña Maquis. (2017). Gran Reserva Carménère: Vintage 2017 [Technical sheet]. https://www.maquis.cl/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/maquis_gr_ca_2017_eng.pdf
Viñedos Calcu. (2017). Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon: Vintage 2017 [Technical sheet]. Global Vineyard Importers. https://globalvineyard.com/trade_pdfs/Calcu_tradespage_pdfs/Calcu_techsheets/Calcu%20CS%202017.pdf
Wine Authorities. (n.d.-a). Calcu Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon “Gran Reserva” 2020. https://ship.wineauthorities.com/product/calcu-vinedos-sauvignon-blanc-semillon-gran-reserva-2020/
Wine Authorities. (n.d.-b). Viña Apaltagua Pinot Noir “Reserva” 2018. https://durham.wineauthorities.com/product/apaltagua-vina-pinot-noir-reserva-2018/
Wine Authorities. (n.d.-c). Viña Maquis Carménère. https://ship.wineauthorities.com/product/maquis-vina-carmenere-2018/
Wine.com. (n.d.). Calcu Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. https://www.wine.com/product/calcu-cabernet-sauvignon-2017/628100
Wine-Searcher. (n.d.-a). Apalta wine region. https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-apalta
Wine-Searcher. (n.d.-b). Lolol wine region. https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-lolol
Wine-Searcher. (n.d.-c). Peralillo wine region. https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-peralillo Wine-Searcher. (n.d.-d). Colchagua Valley wine region. https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-colchagua+valley