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Chakana Estate Red
Chakana
Argentina - Mendoza    - Uco Valley   

Chakana is the name of the Southern Cross constellation. Its rotation in the sky throughout the year made it an effective agricultural calendar for the ancient Andean people.

Estate Red Blend is from Chakana's Altamira (3,200 ft elevation) and Gualtallary (5,500 ft elevation) vineyards.

Deep red color with violet hints. Dark fruits and exotic spices with tobacco and mocha hints. Elegant, well balanced, harmonious, long persistence with chocolate flavors.

Specifications
Appellation
Uco Valley
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
70% Malbec, 25% Cab. Sauvignon, 5% Cab. Franc (2017)
Age of vines
10 years
Agricultural Practices
Organic
Soil type
sandy loam with calcareous gravels
Vinification
Two days maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Aged in oak barrels and concrete vats for 10 months. Unfiltered.
Pairings

grilled meats, spicy dishes

Reviews and News

2021 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - JS

2021 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Notes of fresh blackcurrants and dark cherries with subtle hints of nutshells, cocoa and spice box. Rich and flavorful on the palate with a medium to full body and ripe, glossy tannins. Succulent, lightly spicy finish. Malbec, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Vegan. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (February 2024), 91 pts

2020 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 92 PTS - TA

2020 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 92 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250

 


- Tim Atkin (Argentina Report 2023), 92 pts

2020 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 94 PTS - VINOUS

2020 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 94 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2020 Red Blend Estate Selection is a blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc (from Paraje Altamira, Gualtallary and Los Chacayes, respectively, all in the Uco Valley) and was 40% aged in used barrels and a third in foudres. Purple in the glass. The expressive nose presents notes of fresh fruit such as cherry and blackcurrant accompanied by herbs and a whiff of ash. In the mouth, it’s compact with a refined expression in which the freshness wins out before the long, fruity finish. Will improve in the bottle. - Joaquín Hidalgo"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2022), 94 pts

2019 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 93 PTS - TA

2019 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250

 


- Tim Atkin MW, 93 pts

2019 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 91 PTS - Descorchados

2019 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 91 PTS - Descorchados

descorchados 2021"This is a blend of 80% malbec, 15% cabernet franc, and 5% cabernet sauvignon from three areas in the Uco Valley: Altamira, Gualtallary y Chacayes. The presence of the malbec from calcareous alluvial soils in Atlamira and Gualtallary is evident in the firm texture of this wine, the rest are succulent flavors of sweet, friendly, and voluptuous fruits in a wine for steak."


- Descorchados 2021, 91 pts

 

2018 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 91 PTS - TA

2018 Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend - 91 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Combining grapes from three of the Uco Valley’s best sub-regions - Gualtallary, Los Chacayes and Paraje Altamira - this is a stylish blend of mostly Malbec with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Firm, grippy and intense, with sappy tannins, cassis and blueberry fruit, some thyme and laurel and racy minerality."
- Tim Atkin MW (March 2020), 91 pts

2017 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - DECANTER

2017 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - DECANTER

decanter logo 250"A high-altitude blend from organic vineyards planted at 1,100m in the Altamira and Gualtallary regions of the Uco Valley. A wild-fermented Malbec-dominant blend with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, that's aged for 10 months: 70% in French oak and 30% in concrete. Savoury black fruit aromas with pretty violet top notes on the nose. Full-bodied, with firm tannins, but also good freshness. Savoury and spicy black fruit on the palate, but with some brighter cranberry notes too - a good food wine for hearty dishes. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. - Julie Sheppard"

- Decanter Magazine (October 2019), 90 pts

2017 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 89 PTS - VINOUS

2017 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 89 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"(aged in 50% new French oak): Bright red-ruby. Reticent, distinctly purple aromas of raspberry and violet. A step up in texture from the Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec bottlings, with its primary purple fruits possessing enough extract to support the obvious oak influence. Finishes with tactile, tooth-dusting tannins and lingering notes of purple fruits, flowers, menthol and pepper. A very successful blend that nicely combines Cabernet Sauvignon herbs and tannins with Cabernet Franc florality. There's no hurry to drink this. - Stephen Tanzer"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (Argentina’s Wines Enter The World Stage, July 2018), 89 pts

2016 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - Descorchados

2016 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - Descorchados

descorchados2018 logo"This blend includes a mix of 70% Malbec, over 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Cabernet Franc, all from Uco Valley, mainly Altamira, Gualtallary and El Cepillo. The red fruit, as in the entire Estate Selection line, continues to shine. There’s freshness, but above all vigor. It’s a taut wine, with solid spicy flavors and sparky acidity."
- Descorchados 2018, 91 pts

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2016 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 90 PTS - JS

2016 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 90 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Violet and blackberry aromas. A hint of menthol on the nose and a cool, slightly minty note on the finish. An interesting, full-bodied, tannic red that has a hint of sweetness at the close. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (April 2018), 90 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2016 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 93 PTS - TA

2016 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Chakana made some lovely wines in 2016, making the most of the cool conditions to produce reds with real finesse. This Malbec with Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc blend is light, elegant and focused, with floral aromas, red berry sweetness and nuanced tannins. 2019-24"

- Tim Atkin, Argentina Special Report 2018, 93 pts

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2016 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - WA

2016 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - WA

"The 2016 Estate Selection Red Blend was produced with grapes from different parts of the Valle de Uco and includes 70% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. It matured in 50/50 French barriques and oak vats for one year. It shows some aromas of violets and dark cherries with sweet spices. The palate reveals very good freshness, fine tannins and a good finish. 25,000 bottles were filled in December 2017. - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #237, June 2018), 90 pts

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2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 94 PTS - TA

2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 94 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"The blend of this wine used to change every year, but has now settled on Malbec with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, combining elements from Paraje Altamira, Gualtallary and Chacayes. Fresh, elegant and beautifully balanced, it’s another triumph from Chakana. 2018-25."
- Tim Atkin, Argentina 2017 Special Report, 94 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 92 PTS - W&S

2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 92 PTS - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250"A 60/40 blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon, this wine's fruit gains its freshness and floral notes from a high-altitude, cool-climate site. Texturally round, it had a lovely, creamy texture, with spices all over the palate. A charming flowery finish adds complexity. Think of grilled pork tenderloin to go with it."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (February 2017), 92 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 92 PTS - VINOUS

2015 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 92 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Bright, dark red with ruby highlights. Pure but subdued scents of dark raspberry, pepper, chocolate and menthol. Fine-grained, savory and fresh; an alluring, delineated midweight with spicy and floral high notes to its raspberry and currant fruit flavors. The peppery quality carries through the wine and perks up the finish. The tannins are firm but harmonious. This impeccably balanced, structured wine finishes with firm but harmonious tannins and subtly palate-staining spicy length. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (July 2017), 92 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2015 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - WE

2015 Chakana Estate Red Blend - 90 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 90 pts"Animal, dried berry and prune aromas lead to a reserved palate featuring rubbery subdued tannins. Savory dark-berry flavors are earthy and herbal, while this is short and minty on the finish. While nothing miraculous, this blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah rises to a fairly high level. - Michael Schachner"

- Wine Enthusiast (March 2019), 90 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 94 PTS - TA

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 94 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Syrah has been dropped from the blend here, leaving Malbec with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. This is a delicious, high-toned cuvée with notes of clove and white pepper, understated oak, seamless tannins and a palate-cleansing freshness that makes you want to go on drinking. Drink: 2016-2023"
- - Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2016),94 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - W&S

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 91 PTS - W&S

wine and spirits logo 250"Malbec accounts for 60 percent of this blend, adding soft tannins and seductive violet notes to cabernet sauvignon’s firm, tannic structure, while syrah fills in with its meaty, spicy fruit. It’s a complex, rich red from growers in Gualtallary and Altamira, both in the Uco Valley."
- Wine & Spirits (April 2016), 91 pts

Go To Chakana Red Estate Blend

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 90 PTS - WINE VALUE - WA

2014 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 90 PTS - WINE VALUE - WA

wa90"Chakana's 2014 Estate Red is a blend of 60% Malbec, and the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, again sourced from the Altamira Vineyards. This wine spent ten months in 100% new French oak and is a limited cuvée of 3,000 six-packs. Deep purple, its stunning nose of vanilla, graphite, white chocolate, charcoal and blackberry is followed by a deep, medium to full-bodied wine with sensational richness, concentration and length. At $25, it is hardly a super-bargain, but at this quality level merits serious attention."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 90 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25

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2013 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 93 PTS - TA

2013 Chakana Red Estate Blend - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Chakana's red blend combines Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to good effect, showing a freshness that runs through all their recent reds. Fresh, complex and subtle with filigree tannins, this is a very harmonious red. Drink: 2015-19"
- - Tim Atkin (Argentina Special Report 2015),93 pts

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Producer Information: Chakana

Chakana is a family owned winery located 960 meters (3,149 feet) above sea level at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Agrelo, Mendoza. It is one of the leading ...
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