Maquis Calcu Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

Maquis Calcu Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red blend from Chile's Colchagua Valley, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 92 points by James Suckling, this expression draws from high-altitude vineyard blocks situated at 500 meters above sea level near the foothills of the Andes—among the highest-elevation sites in the entire Colchagua appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Chile  |  Reserva  |  Winery: Maquis

Production & Heritage

Maquis operates vineyards in the Colchagua Valley and has worked since 2005 with consulting winemaker Xavier Choné, a specialist in vineyard evaluation who focuses intensively on soil analysis, vine spacing, and precise harvest timing. The blend is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carmenère, and 1% Petit Verdot—fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts before maturing for one year in French oak barrels. The high-altitude vineyard sourcing at 500 meters elevation contributes to concentrated fruit character with natural freshness, distinguishing this wine from lower-elevation Colchagua reds.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackcurrants and stewed strawberries before layering in grilled herbs, cocoa, and a spicy flourish of cinnamon and clove. Subtle oyster shell minerality adds a savory complexity beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward with rich dark cherries and strawberries that build across the mid-palate into warm baking spices and chocolate. The wine is medium-to-full-bodied with sleek, fine-grained tannins supported by fresh acidity that keeps the palate lively through the peak.

Finish: Long and smooth, carried by fleshy, grainy tannins that gradually resolve into lingering notes of dark fruit and spice. The French oak influence registers as a gentle toastiness rather than overt wood, allowing the fruit to persist cleanly.

How to Drink Maquis Calcu Reserva

This Reserva is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 minutes of decanting to open the aromatic layers. It drinks well on its own as a sipping red but also pairs naturally with food. For a red wine Sangria, the ripe berry core and spice complexity add depth without needing heavy sweetener. In a classic Kalimotxo, the structured tannins and dark fruit stand up to cola without losing their identity. A red wine reduction sauce benefits from the chocolate and spice undertones this blend provides.

Best For

• A weeknight dinner wine that punches above its weight class
• Introducing someone to premium Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pairing with a grilled steak or lamb dinner
• Building a South American wine collection with critically rated bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maquis Calcu Reserva taste like? It delivers ripe dark cherry and blackcurrant flavors with baking spice, chocolate, and grilled herb accents across a medium-to-full body. Sleek tannins and fresh acidity give it structure without heaviness.

How does Maquis Calcu Reserva compare to Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are Colchagua Valley Cabernet Sauvignons aged in French oak, but Maquis Calcu Reserva incorporates small percentages of Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, and Petit Verdot in its blend. The Maquis also draws from notably high-altitude vineyards at 500 meters, which can contribute greater concentration and minerality compared to lower-elevation sites.

Is Maquis Calcu Reserva good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced tannin structure, fresh acidity, and layered fruit-and-spice profile make it a satisfying standalone glass, especially after brief decanting to fully open the aromatics.

Where is Maquis Calcu Reserva made? It is produced by the Maquis winery in the Colchagua Valley, a sub-region of the Rapel Valley in central Chile. The vineyard blocks sit at approximately 500 meters elevation at the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

What foods pair well with Maquis Calcu Reserva? Grilled ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and tannic grip. Slow-braised lamb shanks echo its warm spice notes. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the toasty oak character. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the cocoa and berry finish. Herb-crusted pork loin plays well against the grilled herb and clove aromatics.

What sizes does Maquis Calcu Reserva come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is Maquis Calcu Reserva worth the price? Positioned as a mid-range Reserva, it delivers critical acclaim—92 points from James Suckling and 91 from Wine Enthusiast—that would typically accompany a higher price tier, making it strong value within Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

Why Maquis Calcu Reserva?

The strongest case for this wine starts with terroir: vineyard blocks at 500 meters elevation in the Colchagua Valley represent some of the highest-altitude Cabernet plantings in the region, producing fruit with distinctive concentration and mineral complexity. The involvement of consulting winemaker Xavier Choné, a vineyard evaluation specialist who has guided the estate since 2005, ensures that site-specific character drives every vintage. Multiple scores of 91–92 points from James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast across recent vintages confirm consistency rather than a single standout year. For drinkers seeking Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon with genuine altitude-driven character and a thoughtful multi-varietal blend, this Reserva occupies a credible position in the category.