Santa Alicia
Santa Alicia Winery was established in 1954 by Maximo Valdes, an important Chilean politician and businessman at that time. He founded the original Santa Alicia Vineyard, the “Houses of Pirque”, in the fertile area near Chile’s capital and began planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Our Santa Alicia wine reviews indicate their focus on value wines from their Reserva line up to their Millantu Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere blend. While over a half dozen different grape varieties are used to produce Santa Alicia wines, their core focus remains on producing value Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere wines according to our Santa Alicia ratings. Santa Alicia wines are consistently recognized as “Best Buy Selections” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and have received several medals and awards for their value lines of wine. Be sure to check out our Santa Alicia Buying Guide below to see which wines are best suited for you.
Santa Alicia 2004 Reserve Chardonnay (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
Plump and oaky, with a lot of butter running alongside apple and pear fruit. In many ways, it’s a common profile, one you see all the time from Chile. The body of the wine is round and fruity, while the oak is forward and adds a lot of cream and vanilla. Imported by Halby Marketing.
— M.S.
(7/1/2006)
Santa Alicia 2005 Reserve Carmenère (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
Round and warm on the nose, with turned earth, baked tomato and red plum aromas. The palate follows the nose by dealing baked plum and earthy/herbal accents, while the finish is harmonious. With a good mouthfeel, the wine comes across fairly generous.
— M.S.
(11/15/2007)
Santa Alicia 2006 Reserve Malbec (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
Malbec from Chile may not seem as natural as from Argentina, but you will not go wrong with this stocky, soft, lightly baked offering. The palate has a touch of herbal lift to accent the black fruit, while the finish is firm, comfortable and consistent.
— M.S.
(11/15/2007)
Santa Alicia 2006 Reserve Shiraz (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
For the budget-minded, this Shiraz has ample spice, pepper, chocolate and fruit. It has a deepness and ripeness that’s admirable, and while it’s a standard wine that doesn’t pick up complexities with airing, what’s in the glass is more than satisfactory.
— M.S.
(5/1/2008)
Santa Alicia 2007 Reserva Shiraz (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $9
Dusty and a bit pickled and brambly at first, with snappy red fruit and fresh acidity and tannins. There’s nothing weighty or luggish about this Shiraz. It’s made in a lighter, fruit-forward style that offers length and drive but hardly any complexity or varietal character. But at this price, who’s complaining?
— M.S.
(11/15/2008)
Santa Alicia 2007 Reserve Chardonnay (Maipo Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $10
A little sharp and green, with no signs of oak or weight. Aromas of passion fruit, nectarine and grass are almost like Sauvignon Blanc, while the palate deals pickled, green-infused flavors. Tropical but also pickled and sweaty.
— M.S.
(11/15/2008)
Santa Alicia 2007 Reserva Merlot (Maipo Valley)
- Best Buy
- $9
A springy nose of cherry, raspberry and chocolate is a good opener, while the palate boasts a mix of herbs, tobacco, olive and plum flavors. The feel is a high point, with lushness and balancing acidity each making a cameo. Finishes mildly peppery. Good Merlot for the money.
— M.S.
(7/1/2009)
Santa Alicia 2006 Gran Reserva de los Andes Carmenère (Maipo Valley)
- $13
Opens with herbal black fruit aromas, coffee and a helping of grass cuttings, while the palate is snappy in feel and shows flavors of blackberry, herbs and creamy vanilla. Steady on the finish, with mocha as the lasting flavor. Good but ordinary Carmenère.
— M.S.
(12/31/2009)
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