Maipo Valley, Chile

33º29'S 70º36'W

The Maipo Valley is located in central Chile, just south of Santiago in a region bound by the Andes Mountains to the east, the Coastal Range to the West, and the Maipo River to the north. A very small portion of the appellation lies within the urban boundaries of Santiago itself, reminiscent of the great urban Bordeaux vineyards of Haut-Brion in the Graves and Château Quinault in Saint-Emilion.

2002 VQM
Bottle: 750ml
Price:

Despite its relatively small size, this is the most celebrated appellation in Chile, home to some of the oldest vineyards in South America. The historic Macul region includes hillside vines that are more than thirty years old. These old vines produce wines of incredible finesse and complexity.

The sandy, fast-draining soils are perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, but Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc are also found here. The Maipo Valley has a warm, desert-like climate with very little rain (about 12 inches a year), so it is common practice to irrigate.