Don Maximiano Errázuriz founded Viña Errázuriz Winery in 1870 in the Valle de Aconcagua where they have been producing quality wines for over 130 years. Located about 60 miles north of the capital city Santiago, Don recognized that this valley, with its cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, in combination with the influential Pacific Ocean breeze, was ideal for planting vines. Today, the tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant Eduardo Chadwick, the fifth generation of his family to manage the Errázuriz vineyards. As an estate winery, their philosophy is to keep Errázuriz wines pure by using the finest winemaking techniques while still allowing the land to impose the greatest influence on the wines. Our Errázuriz reviews examine their full portfolio of wines from the entry level Estate line up to the top tier Icon wines, which include the highly regarded Kai, Maximiano Founder's Reserve and the Shiraz La Cumbre. While almost a dozen different varietals are utilized to produce the majority of their wines, our Errázuriz ratings illustrate that only Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Carmenere and Petit Verdot are used to create these top rated selections.
The Chadwicks have hit the big time with this superb Cabernet-dominated blend. The bouquet of black cherry, charcoal, plum and tree bark is sensational, while the cassis, cherry and tobacco flavors sing on the palate. Lots of fruit, power and balance, with a touch of earthiness.
— M.S.
(10/1/2006)
Haven’t seen this excellent wine in a couple of vintages, and while the $180 price tag is sky high there’s no denying the wine’s quality, which centers around cedar and tobacco aromas and fine core fruit. Flavors and aromas of cassis, berry and plum have tobacco and balsamic accents, while the feel is warm and lush but structured.
— M.S.
(9/1/2009)
The four Rs are covered here: The wine is robust, roasted, ripe and ready. Kai is a very dark and sultry style of Carmenère, with huge waves of blueberry and blackberry fruit darkened up by chocolate, coffee and mint. The palate is lush but well structured; it’s soft, pure and velvety, but also very natural.
— M.S.
(9/1/2009)
A smooth, modern and rich version of Chilean Syrah that’s bringing it. The nose is full of mineral, graphite, coconut and heavenly black fruit, while the palate is bright, pure and delicious as it leans toward black-currant liqueur, blackberry and boysenberry. Fruity to the max, with a meaty finish and plenty of body. Drink now through 2013.
— M.S.
(12/31/2010)
Chile’s most expensive wine is excellent, and with only 50 cases being imported it’s definitely a collector’s edition. The nose is deep, dense and black as night, with olive, tobacco, coconut and bold black fruit aromas. The palate is racy and tannic, and the flavors of plum, cassis, blackberry, chocolate, prune and fig are elevated. A tough and ribald wine that…
— M.S.
(12/1/2010)
Staunch and varietally correct from the opening gun; this is one big, obvious Carmenère with a ton of spice, extract, ripeness and quality. The palate is deep, powerful and rich, with tobacco, blackberry, fig, graham cracker and strong herbal influences. The finish is lush, long and spicy, with richness and a final dose of herbs. Drink now and over the next few years.
— M.S.
(7/1/2011)
Supermodern in style, with mint, coconut, chocolate and huge black fruit aromas. Powerfully structured and thick-boned, with boysenberry, spice and chocolate in spades. Oaky, broad and layered on the finish, with tobacco, coffee and chocolate finishing notes.
— M.S.
(12/1/2011)
Round, dark and impressive, with deep berry aromas, minerality, smokiness and a hint of herbs and tomato. The palate is jammy and rich, what you might call syrupy, but there’s still plenty of spine and structure. Tastes rich, jammy and masculine, with blackberry, coffee and spice notes. Drink now through 2017.
— M.S.
(6/1/2011)