Chono Cabernet Sauvignon

Chono Cabernet Sauvignon is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red blend from Chile's Maipo Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Sutil Family Wines, this expression earned a Silver medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition for its 2013 vintage, underscoring its standing among value-driven Chilean reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile  |  Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petite Sirah  |  Producer: Sutil Family Wines

Production & Heritage

Sutil Family Wines crafts Chono Cabernet Sauvignon using a deliberate, multi-stage extraction process in Chile's celebrated Maipo Valley. The grapes undergo a five-day cold maceration at approximately 50°F, followed by a ten-day fermentation at around 75°F in stainless steel tanks — a regimen designed to preserve bright fruit character while preventing over-extraction of tannins. A post-fermentation maceration of twenty to twenty-five days builds additional volume and density before the wine rests for twelve months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, then receives a further six months of bottle aging prior to release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense red fruit — cherries and strawberries — layered with cranberry and dark cassis. Secondary notes of licorice, bay leaf, mint, mocha, cigar box, and toasted oak emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is soft and creamy, carrying ripe red and black fruit across the palate alongside earthy plum and currant. Mid-palate, spice and tobacco notes surface with medium body and good volume. The tannins are rounded and ripe rather than aggressive, reflecting the careful cold maceration and extended post-fermentation contact.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, carrying fruity concentration alongside subtle toasty oak and lingering spice. A gentle warmth and smooth texture persist without bitterness.

How to Drink Chono Cabernet

This wine drinks well at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, where its fruit complexity and oak nuances are most pronounced. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help the aromas fully open. For cocktails, the fruit-forward profile and moderate tannins make it a strong candidate for a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the cherry and plum notes balance the sweetness; a New York Sour, where the wine's berry character floats elegantly over bourbon; or a classic Sangria, where the spice and red fruit meld naturally with citrus and brandy.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled red meats or hearty pastas
• Introducing someone to Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon without a steep price tag
• Casual wine tastings comparing Maipo Valley reds
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a barbecue or potluck

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chono Cabernet taste like? Chono Cabernet Sauvignon delivers ripe red and black fruit — cherry, plum, and cassis — alongside spice, tobacco, and toasty oak, framed by smooth, rounded tannins and medium body.

How does Chono Cabernet compare to Escudo Rojo? Both are accessible Chilean red blends from prominent Maipo Valley producers, built around Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting varieties. Escudo Rojo, backed by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, often carries a slightly more Bordeaux-influenced structure, while Chono leans toward softer, fruit-forward approachability thanks to its extended cold maceration technique.

Is Chono Cabernet good for everyday drinking? Yes — its moderate 13.5% ABV, smooth tannins, and fruit-driven profile make it a versatile and easy-drinking red suited to casual meals and relaxed evenings.

Where is Chono Cabernet made? Chono Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Sutil Family Wines in Chile's Maipo Valley, one of the country's most renowned wine regions located just south of Santiago, long recognized for producing top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with Chono Cabernet? Grilled beef or lamb chops complement the wine's ripe tannins and dark fruit. Empanadas with seasoned meat echo its spice notes. Aged cheddar or Manchego match the toasty oak character. Tomato-based pasta dishes mirror the wine's earthy red fruit, and dark chocolate desserts highlight the mocha undertones.

What sizes does Chono Cabernet come in? Chono Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Chono Cabernet worth the price? Chono positions squarely as an entry-level to mid-range Chilean Cabernet, delivering oak-aged complexity and a multi-varietal blend at a price point that competes well against other everyday Maipo Valley reds — solid value for a wine with twelve months of barrel aging and additional bottle rest.

Why Chono Cabernet?

What distinguishes this wine from the crowded field of sub-premium Chilean Cabernets is its unusually involved extraction protocol — a five-day cold soak, controlled fermentation, and up to twenty-five days of post-fermentation maceration — followed by a full year in French and American oak. That level of winemaking attention is uncommon at this price tier. The IWSC Silver medal confirms that the technique translates into the glass, producing a wine with genuine complexity rather than simple fruit-bomb immediacy. For drinkers seeking an introduction to Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that rewards attention without demanding a special occasion, Chono delivers.