1983 Don Maximiano Reserve

It was a pleasure to sample the 1983 Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve, sourced from pergola-trained Cabernet Sauvignon vines and matured in traditional raulí vats for five to seven months, as the first French oak imports arrived a few years later in 1987. Two bottles were opened; the first was replaced due to oxidation. However, the second bottle was quite remarkable, considering its age. A delicate, mature nose of sweet tobacco, dried mint, cigar wrapper and powdered chocolate leads to a soft, creamy palate with a lovely texture, concluding with an impressively vibrant bead of acidity and melting tannins through the finish. While the bottle variation here makes a more whole-hearted recommendation less tempting, this was an educational and lovely example of Chilean winemaking from another time.