Deep ruby color; blackberry, plum, black cherry, oak, chocolate on the nose and palate.
Dry; amiable tannins, subdued acidity, smooth easy drinker. Sidles toward jammy, but reins up well short. Medium body. Simple, lacks complexity and depth, but delivers on drinkability and prudent flavors. Improves and becomes more integrated with time in glass, so consider decanting, or open the bottle ahead of time and be sure to give it several swirls before sipping. This does not soar, but it certainly does not offend—which is what you ask for in a cab at this price point. 14% ABV
Viña San Pedro is a Chilean winemaker established in 1865, thus the name on this label. The Correa Albano brothers, pioneers in bringing Old World vines to South America, founded the winery. Today, Vina San Pedro is a major Chilean maker, exporting to more than 80 markets across five continents with its brands: 1865, Altaïr, Cabo de Hornos, Sideral, Kankana del Elqui, Tierras Moradas, Epica, Castillo de Molina, 35 SUR, 9 Lives, and GatoNegro. The grapes for this effort come from the Central Valley of Chile.
Viña San Pedro 1865 is part of the VSPT Wine Group, Chile’s third largest viticultural group and the second-largest exporter of Chilean wine. Andrea Calderón Vásquez is the winemaker for the 1865 brand. Calderón earned an agricultural engineer degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica.
Viña San Pedro 1865 Selected Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle del Maipo, Chile 2018 is very serviceable, straight-down-the-middle-of-the-road Chilean cab. Good QPR (quality-price ratio). Tasty dark fruits with just a faint hint of tannic edge and oak. Pair with beef dishes; lamb; wild game—venison, boar; broiled, barbecue chicken; beef stew; comfort foods—meatloaf, meat lover pizza, burgers and sliders, pasta dishes with beef and tomato sauces. Cheese—cheddar, aged gouda, gorgonzola; aged cow’s milk cheese with some age; semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese with some age; slightly firm, soft-ripened cheese with earthy notes like triple-crème brie. $16-18
Video of horseback tour of Viña San Pedro vineyard gives sense of place
