Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile's Central Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage scored 88 points from Wine Enthusiast, while the 2022 vintage earned a Double Gold medal at Japan's Sakura Awards — strong recognition for a wine positioned squarely in the everyday drinking tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Central Valley, Chile  |  Current Vintage  |  Producer: Viña Santa Rita

Production & Heritage

Viña Santa Rita was founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernández Concha on an estate in Buin, within the Maipo Valley. The "120" range takes its name from a pivotal moment in Chilean history: in 1814, 120 independence fighters sought refuge at the Santa Rita hacienda during the country's war of liberation from Spain. On the production side, the grapes undergo cold maceration for five days before fermentation at 24°–28°C. A distinguishing step is the use of oak staves during fermentation — roughly 10% oak contact — which stabilizes color early and weaves subtle wood character into the wine without requiring extended barrel aging. This approach keeps the fruit expression front and center while adding a layer of structural complexity unusual at this price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe cherry and blackcurrant lead the nose, followed by clove, vanilla, and a dusting of coffee. With a few minutes in the glass, faint smoky undertones and hints of caramel emerge.

Taste: The entry is fruit-forward — juicy dark berries and cassis dominate. At mid-palate, milk chocolate and green tobacco notes develop, supported by well-structured tannins that give the wine a medium-bodied framework. A thread of mint and hard spice runs through the finish, keeping things lively.

Finish: Moderate in length, with lingering salty berry and warm spice notes. The tannins resolve cleanly, leaving a pleasant chocolatey echo.

How to Drink Santa Rita 120

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F). This is a straightforward, fruit-driven Cabernet that rewards simple treatment — pour it into a generous glass and let it breathe for ten minutes. It also works well in wine-based cocktails: a Classic Sangria, where the bold berry fruit stands up to citrus and brandy; a Claret Cobbler, a shaken Victorian-era cocktail where the chocolate and spice notes play well with fresh seasonal fruit; or a New York Sour, where the wine's deep color and tannic backbone make for a striking float over bourbon and lemon.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled steak or roasted lamb
• Introducing someone to Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
• Stocking a casual house wine for entertaining
• Building a by-the-case red wine rotation without overspending

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Santa Rita 120 taste like? It is a medium-bodied, fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignon dominated by blackcurrant, ripe cherry, and milk chocolate, with supporting notes of clove, tobacco, and mint. The tannins are well-structured but not aggressive, making it approachable on release.

How does Santa Rita 120 compare to Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are value-tier Chilean Cabernets from large, established producers — Santa Rita (founded 1880) and Concha y Toro (founded 1883). Santa Rita 120 tends to lean slightly more fruit-forward with a chocolatey mid-palate, while Casillero del Diablo often shows more pronounced herbal and eucalyptus character.

Is Santa Rita 120 good for beginners? Yes — its ripe fruit profile, moderate tannins, and accessible 13.5% ABV make it an excellent gateway into Cabernet Sauvignon for those new to red wine.

Where is Santa Rita 120 made? Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Viña Santa Rita, headquartered on its historic estate in Buin within Chile's Maipo Valley, using grapes sourced from the broader Central Valley region.

What foods pair well with Santa Rita 120? Grilled beef and chimichurri, for a classic Chilean pairing; lamb chops with rosemary, where the wine's spice and herb notes echo the seasoning; hard aged cheeses like Manchego; dark chocolate desserts, complementing the wine's cocoa notes; and hearty bean or lentil stews, where the tannins cut through richness.

What sizes does Santa Rita 120 come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, and it is also commonly available in a 1.5L magnum for larger gatherings.

Is Santa Rita 120 worth the price? Santa Rita 120 sits firmly in the entry-level value tier and consistently punches above its weight — the 88-point Wine Enthusiast score and Sakura Awards Double Gold suggest quality that outperforms many wines at a similar price point.

Why Santa Rita 120?

The use of oak staves during fermentation rather than traditional barrel aging sets this wine apart from most competitors at its price level, delivering genuine wood-influenced complexity — chocolate, vanilla, spice — without inflating the cost. Back-to-back recognition from Wine Enthusiast (84 to 88 points across 2019–2021 vintages) shows a producer actively improving quality vintage over vintage. The Double Gold at the 2022 Sakura Awards and a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge confirm that this is not a one-reviewer anomaly. For a daily-drinking Chilean Cabernet, Santa Rita 120 delivers a depth of flavor and consistency that earns it a permanent spot in the value-red conversation.