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Santa Rita Wines

Founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernandez Concha in the Alto Jahuel region of Chile, Santa Rita Winery is one of the pioneers of the Chilean wine industry. Their vision to plant European grape varietals in the Santa Rita vineyards was revolutionary and helped popularize Chilean wine all over the world. 100 years later Ricardo Claro Valdes and his Grupo Claro purchased the winery and have been running things ever since according to our Santa Rita reviews. There is a wide variety of grapes planted and used to produce Santa Rita wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and Merlot. They range from the entry level 120 series of wines (named after the 120 Chilean patriots that found refuge in the Santa Rita cellars during their battles), to the popular Medalla Real line, all the up to their flagship Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon. Their vineyards are located throughout Chile in the Maipo Valley, Casablanca, Rapel, Apalta, Leyda and Curico allowing them to produce wines displaying characteristics of both the terroir and climate of the region. You can find many of their wines, spanning from the Best Buys to Cellar Selections, in our Santa Rita wine ratings.

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Santa Rita 1999 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Price $65

The 1997 Casa Real was royal, and the ’99 is even better. It’s rich, deep and lavishly oaked. The concentration is intense but it’s not overly tight or tannic. In every way it’s a dead ringer for sweet, luscious fruit-forward Napa Cabernet. Plum, coffee and cream share center stage on the stylish finish. — M.S. (3/1/2002)

Santa Rita 2007 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $75

One of Chile’s benchmark wines is typically clean, pure and inviting. The nose is ripe and lusty, while the palate is vital, juicy, fresh and crisp, with fine Cabernet flavors of black currant, cherry, chocolate and more. Probably the closest thing in style to great Napa Valley Cab; deep, dense and long on the finish. A hearty but refined wine to drink now through 2017. — M.S. (6/1/2011)

Santa Rita 2001 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $65

Made from 30-year-old vines, this wine represents the pinnacle of Santa Rita’s production. It’s lush and rich, with vanilla, cedar, tobacco and cassis aromas. The palate is layered and textured, displaying the perfect mix of concentration and softness. Finishes supple, with smooth tannins and some chocolate and marshmallow. One of Chile’s best. — M.S. (11/15/2004)

Santa Rita 1999 Casa Real Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Price $65

— W.E. (8/1/2003)

Santa Rita 1999 Floresta Apalta Estate Red (Colchagua Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $30

With 15% Merlot, this is a gorgeous new wine under the Floresta label. It shows all the prime pedigree of the famed Apalta vineyard and lots of style from 17 months in French oak. It’s deep and purple, with tons of sweet extract (just watch those legs stick to the glass). Jammy black fruit, cassis notes, toasty wood nuances and super softtannins—what more could you… — M.S. (3/1/2002)

Santa Rita 2005 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $100

Very stout and rich, but nothing soft about this perfectly healthy, benchmark Chilean Cab. The nose pours forth with earth, licorice, balsamic notes and sly plum aromas, while the palate is cuddly but agile, with good balance and pure flavors of black fruits and chocolate. Drinkable now but ageable through 2014. — M.S. (9/1/2009)

Santa Rita 2003 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Price $60

A warm, dry vintage yielded an excellent Casa Real in 2003. The wine delivers a measured bouquet of balsam wood, violet petals, mineral and ripe berry aromas, while the leisurely palate is home to spot-on raspberry, black plum and cassis flavors. Long, oily and textured on the finish, with admirable overall structure. Drink now through 2011. — M.S. (3/1/2008)

Santa Rita 1997 Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley)

Price $40

Words like pungent and hedonistic best describe this voluptuous and chewy Cabernet Sauvignon. Almost overflows with spectacular black currant and herbal character. Huge black-cherry and licorice flavor is carried in a wrap of soft, enveloping tannins. Heady stuff that pumps out the volume. Will evolve if given time in the cellar. — M.S. (5/1/2000)

2009 Merry Edwards

Made from eight vineyards located throughout this sprawling appellation…

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