Region and Vineyards
At the foothills of the Andes in Maipo Alto (Alto Jahuel), Casa Real comes from Santa Rita's Alto Jahuel Estate, a cool, sub-humid Mediterranean enclave famed for Cabernet Sauvignon. The site benefits from pronounced diurnal swings—often >18 °C—that preserve acidity and fragrance while allowing slow, even ripening. Summer heat is tempered by night-time mountain air, sustaining vibrant aromatics and fine tannins.
The single source is Carneros Viejo, an old Cabernet block (≈20 ha) planted on ancient alluvial terraces of the Maipo River. Topsoils of 80-100 cm loam over rounded stones, gravel and coarse sand ensure excellent drainage, while deeper clay provides water retention, encouraging deep-rooted, low-vigour vines with naturally modest yields. This geology imprints a graphite-mineral line and classic cassis profile that has defined Casa Real since its inaugural 1989 vintage.
Winemaking
The 2021 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, hand-harvested (15-31 March) after a season marked by a rainy winter (231 mm), a cool, dry summer and an unusual 51 mm January shower that refreshed canopies and enhanced natural acidity. Fruit was picked parcel-by-parcel to capture optimal phenolic maturity.
Fermentation occurred in small stainless-steel and concrete tanks at 24-26 °C, with gentle pump-overs and délestage tailored by tasting. After dryness, maceration continued 4-6 days before a vertical basket press; press fractions were matured separately and used judiciously in the final blend. Élevage lasted 20 months in French oak (85% new, 15% second-use). The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Technicals: 13.9% vol, pH 3.60, TA 5.82 g/L (as tartaric), RS 2.1 g/L.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Deep ruby with vivid reflections; youthful density at the core.
- Aroma: Blackcurrant, ripe cherry and plum layered with graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf and cool baking spices; hints of bay, dried rose and cocoa powder.
- Palate: Creamy yet focused, with a concentrated cassis core, polished, chalk-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Notes of graphite, dark chocolate and savory herbs taper to a long, persistent finish of great poise.
Did you know?
First released in 1989, Casa Real quickly became one of Chile's most lauded Cabernets and is produced only in exceptional vintages. The 2021 debuted on La Place de Bordeaux, earning major critical acclaim (including 97 Vinous and 95 Wine Spectator/James Suckling), reinforcing Alto Jahuel's stature for world-class Cabernet.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Herb-crusted lamb rack - rosemary and thyme echo the wine's herbal graphite notes; supple tannins embrace rich protein.
- Dry-aged ribeye, peppercorn jus - marbled beef matches concentration; pepper and jus harmonize with spice-cedar complexity.
- Mushroom and truffle risotto - umami depth and creaminess meet vibrant acidity and fine tannins.
- Cocoa-rubbed venison loin - dark fruit and subtle cacao nuances resonate with the rub's bittersweet lift.
