Vinedo Chadwick 2021 (750ML)

100 WA / 100 TA / 99 JS / 98 DB / 98 DE

#66 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2023

The 2021 Viñedo Chadwick fermented in stainless steel and troncoconic concrete vats, spent some 10 months in barrique, and then part of the wine (some 20%) was sent to the Stockinger foudres. The nose is reminiscent of a super elegant and sleek Bordeaux, pure and clean, less balsamic than in previous years and less herbal. It's perfumed and floral, precise, fresh and elegant, with very fine tannins, and despite the grape, it is more Pomerol than Graves, with 14% alcohol on the label but without any heat at all. It's velvety and luxurious, juicy and tasty, with fine-grained chalky tannins and the elegant stoniness that the best Maipos are capable of. It has structure and power, like the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. This has to be the finest vintage for Chadwick; the wine made my heart beat faster—it's a wine of emotion. This is also my first 100-point wine from Chile! The final blend contains around 3% Petit Verdot from vines planted in 2005. There are some 10,000 bottles of this, and it was all bottled all at once on January 31, 2023. - Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate

After appearing as a single varietal in 2020, Chadwick has reverted to being a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% Petit Verdot in 2021. One of the greatest ever expressions of its Puente Alto terroir, this is a triumphant red from Francisco Baettig […]. The focus, balance and precision of this wine are remarkable, with acidity, brightness and what the French call ‘tension’at its core. Stylishly wooded in 80% new oak, it combines aromas of graphite, mocha and bay leaf with a palate of black cherry, cassis, orange zest and cranberry complemented by serious, layered tannins and a lingering, satisfying finish. World class. - Tim Atkin MW

Beautiful nose with lots of currants, red cherries, flowers, roasted chili and dark chocolate. A fine hint of balsamic. More red fruit than black fruit here with bright cherries and a hint of cigar box. Really even on the palate, with a medium to full body and effortless tannins -- plentiful and silky. Extremely fine-grained and long. Very young but the superb freshness and the tannin quality of this vintage makes you think this is already drinkable. Better from 2025. Zekun Shuai Senior Editor - JamesSuckling .com

Elegant, a little more relaxed and less vertical on the nose and a shade broader and more ample in the mouth than Seña. Floral with classic rose petals alongside the spicy curry notes – coriander and cumin, curry leaf, a little cardamom. Violets. Liquorice. A very pure and intense fruit profile of cassis and raspberry purée – almost raspberry liqueur. Very concentrated and precise and glacial in its crystallinity. A touch of cordite and struck match too. Excellent. Remarkably fine-grained tannins from this cooler vintage with a longer hang time. Cool on the radiant and long finish. 98. - Colin Hay-The Drink Business

The moderately cool 2021 growing season gave a long, even ripening that preserved the acidity and gives this wine elegance and finesse. This smells wonderful, full of chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla, fragrant blackcurrants, roses and raspberries - simply gorgeous. Crunchy and chewy, the best combination of being fully flavoured and densely textured with high, mouthwatering acidity that lifts the mouthfeel and creates such a joyful expression. Direct and focussed, this doesn't deviate too much from the centre of the palate, but it has energy and drive with a soft expansions of dried herbs, flowers and ripe berries. It's more the texture and the finish that leaves such an impression - you just want another sip straight away, with cool refreshing mint, tobacco and liquorice spice adding the nuance on the persistent finish. Utterly sublime. Ageing 22 months, 80% in new French oak barrels, 20% in foudres. - Georgina Hindle-Decanter