Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon

Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon is a Gran Reserva Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 93 points from James Suckling and earning a spot on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 list at number 11 for the 2020 vintage, Medalla Real has become one of Chile's most consistently recognized red wines at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile  |  Gran Reserva  |  Winery: Viña Santa Rita

Production & Heritage

Viña Santa Rita, founded in 1880, produces Medalla Real from its renowned Alto Jahuel Estate in the upper Maipo Valley — a sub-region prized for Cabernet Sauvignon thanks to its warm days, cool Andean nights, and well-drained alluvial soils. The blend typically comprises 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with small additions of Syrah (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%), adding aromatic complexity and mid-palate weight. In a notable stylistic shift, recent vintages have moved toward aging only about 20% of the total volume in French oak barrels for 12 months, with the remaining wine maturing in concrete and stainless steel vessels — a decision that produces a more transparent, fruit-forward expression without abandoning the wine's sense of place.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackcurrant and blueberry, layered with cigar box, soft cedar, and a whisper of cocoa. Hints of mint and camphor emerge as the wine breathes, set against a restrained oak backdrop.

Taste: The entry is concentrated but not heavy, with dark plum and cassis anchoring the mid-palate. Fresh red berries and a streak of graphite minerality build toward a structured, finely grained tannin peak. The reduced oak influence allows varietal purity to come through, keeping the fruit precise and the acidity lively.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with lingering notes of dried spice, dark cherry, and subtle cedar. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, mineral-inflected close.

How to Drink Medalla Real

This wine shows best with 30 minutes of decanting and served at 16–18°C (61–64°F); its refined tannin structure and layered aromatics reward unhurried sipping. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) for a surprisingly refreshing take, a Sangria where its dark fruit depth provides the ideal backbone, or a New York Sour floated atop bourbon — the Cabernet's cassis and spice add real dimension to the classic whiskey sour base.

Best For

• Hosting a dinner party centered around grilled red meats
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
• Building a cellar collection of age-worthy South American reds
• Marking a milestone occasion without overspending

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Medalla Real taste like? Medalla Real delivers concentrated blackcurrant and dark plum on the palate, supported by fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity, and accents of cedar and spice from partial French oak aging.

How does Medalla Real compare to Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon? Casillero del Diablo sits at an entry-level tier with straightforward fruit and lighter structure, while Medalla Real is a Gran Reserva expression with greater complexity, deeper concentration, and a blend that includes small percentages of Syrah and Petit Verdot. The oak aging program and Alto Jahuel estate fruit give Medalla Real noticeably more layered aromatics and a longer finish.

Is Medalla Real good for sipping neat? Absolutely — with 93 points from James Suckling and a 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast, Medalla Real is built to be savored on its own, ideally after brief decanting to open up its aromatic complexity.

Where is Medalla Real made? Medalla Real is produced by Viña Santa Rita at the Alto Jahuel Estate in the upper Maipo Valley, Chile's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon region located in the foothills of the Andes.

What foods pair well with Medalla Real? Grilled ribeye steak complements its dark fruit and tannin structure. Lamb chops with rosemary mirror the wine's herbal undertones. Aged cheddar or Manchego cheese highlights its cedar and spice notes. Dark chocolate desserts echo the cocoa hints on the nose. Empanadas with beef filling make a classically Chilean pairing.

What sizes does Medalla Real come in? Medalla Real is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Medalla Real worth the price? Medalla Real positions as a premium Gran Reserva that consistently over-delivers relative to its price tier, earning scores in the 90–93 point range from major critics — performance that places it alongside wines costing significantly more from comparable regions.

Why Medalla Real?

Few Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons at this level have the critical track record Medalla Real has accumulated, including a number 11 ranking on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 list. The recent winemaking shift — moving away from heavy oak toward concrete and stainless steel for the majority of the blend — signals a producer confident enough to let Alto Jahuel's terroir speak for itself. The result is a new-school Chilean Cabernet that retains depth and structure while gaining transparency and freshness. For anyone seeking a serious Maipo Valley red that balances tradition with modern precision, Medalla Real remains one of the category's most reliable choices.