CONCHA Y TORO | Marques de Casa Concha | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2014
cabernet sauvignon | petit verdot | cabernet franc | syrah | carmenère

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The history of Concha y Toro dates back to 1883, when Don Melchor Concha y Toro, a prominent chilean politician and businessman, decided to pursue his dream of creating world-class wines. He brought noble french grape varieties from Bordeaux to the Maipo Valley, laying the foundation for what would become later one of the most admired wineries in the world. They are fully committed to express the unique micro-terroirs of the Maipo Valley and the true identity of each grape variety.
Today we are going to review a wine that requires no introduction, as this is a genuine cabernet sauvignon wine from the famous Maipo Valley, which is one of Chile’s most prized wine regions – Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 by Concha y Toro. Cabernet Sauvignon is grown all over the world in a wide range of climates and regions and it can produce wines that are very high in tannins and acidity, that can mature and develop for many years in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon is also a late ripening grape variety, which means that it is best suited for warm climates, where it is capable to produce wines that can reach into realms of perfection, where they are rarely followed.

Although the label only mentions the cabernet sauvignon grape variety, technically this wine is a blend of five grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon (91%), petit verdot (4%), cabernet franc (3%), syrah (1%) and carmenère (1%), where cabernet sauvignon forms the wine’s main body and structure, petit verdot lends that vibrant dark fruits character and adds extra tannin extract, cabernet franc builds a more refined mid-palate and adds some softness to the mouthfeel, syrah enhances the wine’s color depth and adds a peppery nuance to the wine’s flavour profile, whereas carmenère provides balance, softness to the mouthfeel and offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Puente Alto and Pirque vineyards at the foothills of the Maipo Valley. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for a period between 16 and 18 months in small, 225L french oak barrels (30% new oak and 70% barrels at second use) and big, 5000L foudres from Piedmont, with additional bottle ageing before it was deemed ready for the market release.

Stretching southward from Santiago, the Central Valley is the viticultural core of Chile – a long and fertile corridor flanked by the Andes Mountains to the east and the Coastal Range to the west. This vast region encompasses several of Chile’s most important wine regions, from Maipo to Maule, each shaped by subtle variations in altitude, soil, and maritime influence. Together, they form the country’s most dynamic and diverse winegrowing area. This vast region is home to a wide array of grape varieties, though it is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the Maipo Valley’s gravelly soils, producing wines of power and precision.

Maipo Valley, or Valle de Maipo, is characterized by ancient and deep alluvial soils, formed of rocks from the Maipo River and the Andes Mountains, which is rich in minerals and well drained, thus contributing to the wine’s concentration of flavours and overall complexity. The proximity to the mountains creates an unique microclimate, allowing for high variability in diurnal temperatures, thus promoting balanced grape ripening and the preservation of high natural acidity in the berries. These natural conditions allows for the development of complex flavors in the resulting wines, due to the low fertility of the soil that induces natural vine stress, making them equal with those from the highly-esteemed wine regions, such as Bordeaux, while still maintaining that distinctive, savory-dusty character that make chilean wines unique.

color: deep & opaque garnet color
clarity: hazy & noble copper shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque garnet color, with hazy copper shades at the rim, indicating its prolonged evolution in the bottle.

intensity: pronounced & earthy-dusty
fruit character: dried & dehydrated

The olfactory profile is pronounced, with a distinct dusty-earthy character that is a quintessentially chilean characteristic. The nose unfolds in layers, beginning with a foreground of dehydrated and dried black fruits: notes of dried cherry, prune, blackberry, and aronia berry that are interwoven with mineral hints of pencil lead and the rustic scent of a forest floor. Subtle leathery undertones and a unique hint of cherry tree sap add further complexity and sophistication. In the background, a rich bouquet of spice, including peppercorn, nutmeg, and cloves, melds with tertiary notes from ageing, such as tobacco, toasted oakwood, and oaktree bark, all elegantly lifted by herbal nuances of basil, bay leaf and rosemary.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: lasting | aftertaste: crisp& seedy

On the palate, this is a textbook chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering a firm and wonderfully structured mouthfeel. The wine is perfectly dry, with a bright acidity that cuts through its richness, providing balance and freshness. The tannins feel pleasantly-seedy, offering a firm grip that speaks to the wine’s excellent ageing. A well-integrated touch of alcoholic warmth adds body and structure, leading to a long, complex, and crisp finish that leaves a memorable seedy aftertaste.

maturity: fully mature | drink now or within a year
verdict: great | a benchmark wine | a wine of outstanding quality

Overall, this is a remarkably rich and crisp Cabernet Sauvignon wine that has reached its peak maturity. It is a multi-layered and complex wine where every element is in harmony, from the expressive aromatics to the structured palate. The use of oak is restrained and masterful, allowing the pure expression of the fruit and its terroir to shine through. The wine is ready to be enjoyed today, though it may hold for another year, possibly gaining further aromatic sophistication. It stands as the epitome of a modern chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, managing to be both powerful and elegant – a wine of excellence that delivers the unmatched expression of its origin.

The wine’s firm structure and earthy undertones make it a perfect partner for rich and flavorful dishes. To create a truly complementary pairing, we would suggest to match it with slow-braised lamb shanks seasoned with rosemary and thyme. The tender, savory meat will be beautifully balanced by the wine’s firm tannins and bright acidity, while the herbal notes in both, the dish and the wine, will resonate, creating a harmonious and deeply satisfying culinary experience. Enjoy!
CONCHA Y TORO | Marques de Casa Concha | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2014
variety: cabernet sauvignon | petit verdot | cabernet franc | syrah | carmenère
country: Chile | Central Valley
region: Valle de Maipo
rating: 94.9

The ‘Marques de Casa Concha’ is a real aristocratic title bestowed upon the Concha y Toro family by King Philip V of Spain in 1718 for their services to the Spanish Crown. By naming one of its premier wine lines after this title, the winery honors its deep historical roots and noble heritage. This connection to history is a core part of the brand’s identity, blending centuries of tradition with modern, terroir-driven winemaking.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!