2024 Cabernet Franc - Central Valley, Chile

Medium ruby Cabernet Franc —  On the nose, red fruits lead the way — raspberry, red cherry, a touch of red plum — layered with floral violet notes and a distinctive herbal edge of fresh herbs and graphite, with a subtle green pepper note that stays elegant rather than aggressive. Maipos' Andean influence brings a faint pencil shaving or cedar note, even without heavy oak.

On the palate, it's medium, with medium to medium+ acidity — noticeably fresher than a Cab Sauv from the same region— with fine-grained, approachable medium tannins. The red fruit carries through with a savoury, earthy mid-palate, finishing medium length with a pleasant herbal note on the exit. Structured and concentrated with real freshness and aromatic elegance — a genuinely versatile style that tells a clear story.

Best matches:

• Lamb — a classic match; roasted leg of lamb with herbs, or lamb chops with simple chimichurri, mirror the wine's herbal and floral notes against the meat's gaminess
• Duck — the wine's red fruit cuts through the richness of the fat without getting lost
• Mushroom-based dishes — wild mushroom risotto or mushroom-stuffed chicken thigh echo the wine's earthy, savoury edge
• Charcuterie — prosciutto, salami, chorizo — pairs well with the wine's structure
• Medium-aged cheeses — manchego, semi-firm gouda

A note on structure: this style has enough structure to handle food with a bit of fat and protein, but isn't so tannic that it needs a heavy dish — genuinely versatile on a tasting table.

Pro tip: the lamb pairing is the easiest story to tell — herbal, gamey, and effortless to explain to non-wine-people at the table.

Vintage: 2024

Region: Central Valley, Chile

Alc: 14.5%