La Despensa Boutique, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Description

La Despensa Boutique, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

This distinctive red wine is a unique blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Marselan. While the producer, Matt Ridgway, is known for his Rhône-style field blends, this wine represents a fresh interpretation of Chile's most famous varietal. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a friend's biodynamic vineyard situated in the foothills of the Andes at 800 meters elevation, while the Marselan comes from the estate's own organic "Santa Ana" vineyard in the Colchagua Valley.

The 2020 vintage in Chile was characterized by a dry, mild winter and an early budburst, presenting some challenges that ultimately yielded high-quality fruit. The high-altitude sourcing of the Cabernet Sauvignon is critical here; the cooler temperatures (never exceeding 30°C/85°F) allowed for a longer ripening season, preserving acidity and preventing the over-ripe characteristics sometimes found in the region. The addition of Marselan—a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache—adds significant color depth and structural tension to the final wine.

In the glass, the wine exhibits a deep, intense ruby-purple hue, indicative of the Marselan contribution. The nose is vibrant and lifted, offering aromas of fresh blackberries, red currants, and wild raspberries, accented by subtle notes of graphite and dried herbs. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied, dry wine that prioritizes elegance over sheer power. Unlike the heavy, jammy examples often associated with the Central Valley, this vintage delivers tension and energy, with fine-grained tannins and a finish marked by crunchy red fruit and a hint of spice.

Winemaking at La Despensa is low-intervention and "old school." Grapes were hand-harvested and destemmed using a machine with the rollers removed, allowing for whole-berry fermentation to emphasize fruit purity. Fermentation occurred in bins using exclusively native yeasts, with manual punch-downs performed 2-4 times daily. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation naturally over the winter and was aged for 10 months in 5th-use or older neutral oak barrels to micro-oxygenate without imparting aggressive wood flavors.

This fresh and structured profile makes it highly versatile at the table. It pairs beautifully with grilled pork chops served with a berry reduction, as the fruit notes in the wine will echo the sauce while the tannins cut through the fat. Alternatively, try it with grilled eggplant and vegetable skewers with halloumi; the wine's herbal undertones and acidity will complement the char and saltiness of the cheese. For a classic American pairing, a bison burger with caramelized onions would be an excellent match.

While specific scores for this vintage blend are scarce, La Despensa consistently garners high praise from critics like Patricio Tapia of Descorchados and James Suckling, who frequently rate the winery's portfolio in the 90-93 point range. Given its boutique production volume (approx. 150 cases) and artisanal methods, it offers exceptional value in its class, presenting a side of Colchagua that is both authentic and refreshingly modern.