Errazuriz Max Cabernet Sauvignon

Errazuriz Max Cabernet Sauvignon is a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon–led red blend from the Aconcagua Valley, bottled at 13.5–14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Both James Suckling and Wine Advocate have awarded this wine 91 points, underscoring its consistent quality across recent vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5–14%  |  Origin: Aconcagua Valley, Chile  |  Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc  |  Producer: Viña Errazuriz

Production & Heritage

Viña Errazuriz was founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz in the Aconcagua Valley, making it one of Chile's most historically significant wine estates. Grapes for the Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from the estate's Max II and Max V vineyards, where a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool evening breezes creates a pronounced diurnal temperature swing that encourages strong polyphenol development. After hand-harvesting and destemming, the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new — a proportion that integrates oak character without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blackcurrant and dark cherry before revealing layers of cedar, tobacco leaf, and restrained vanilla from the French oak program. A subtle herbal thread — hints of mint and rosemary — adds aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, with ripe blackberry and cassis leading the charge across the mid-palate. Clove and a touch of bitter chocolate emerge as the wine develops, supported by well-integrated oak tannins that provide structure without astringency. Sweet spice notes recall marzipan and roasted coffee toward the peak.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with fine-grained tannins carrying lingering cassis and cedar wood. A subtle dark chocolate note persists alongside a faint herbal lift that keeps the finish fresh.

How to Drink Errazuriz Max

This wine shows its full depth when served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a large-bowled glass, ideally after 20–30 minutes of breathing. It also works well in wine-forward cocktails: a Kalimotxo benefits from its dark-fruit intensity and structured tannins; a Red Wine Sangria gains complexity from its cedar and spice undertones; and a New York Sour finds a worthy base in its concentrated berry profile.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly Cabernet
• Introducing someone to premium Chilean reds without a steep price commitment
• Building a mixed case of Southern Hemisphere Cabernets for side-by-side comparison
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who appreciates Old World elegance from New World vineyards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Errazuriz Max taste like? It is a full-bodied red dominated by ripe blackcurrant, cassis, and dark cherry, with supporting notes of cedar, clove, bitter chocolate, and a subtle herbal freshness from the Cabernet Franc component.

How does Errazuriz Max compare to J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon? Both sit in a similar quality tier and price range, but Errazuriz Max leans toward darker berry fruit with cedar and herbal nuance from its Cabernet Franc blend, while J. Lohr Seven Oaks, sourced from Paso Robles, tends toward riper, jammier fruit with more pronounced American oak vanilla. The 15% Cabernet Franc in the Errazuriz Max gives it a slightly more aromatic, structured profile.

Is Errazuriz Max good for sipping neat? Yes — its balanced tannin structure and 12 months of French oak aging make it an approachable sipper on its own, especially with a brief decant to open up the aromatic layers.

Where is Errazuriz Max made? It is produced by Viña Errazuriz at their estate in the Aconcagua Valley, located roughly 100 kilometers north of Santiago, Chile. The specific fruit comes from the Max II and Max V vineyard blocks within the valley.

What foods pair well with Errazuriz Max? Grilled ribeye steak works naturally with its dark fruit and tannin structure. Braised lamb shanks complement the wine's cedar and spice notes. Aged cheddar or Manchego echo its savory undertones. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa finish. Herb-crusted roast beef aligns well with the subtle rosemary and mint aromatics.

What sizes does Errazuriz Max come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size for this expression.

Is Errazuriz Max worth the price? Errazuriz Max positions as a mid-range reserva-level Chilean Cabernet, delivering 12 months of French oak aging, estate-grown fruit, and consistent 91-point critical recognition at a price point that undercuts many comparable Napa or Bordeaux wines significantly.

Why Errazuriz Max?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of sub-$20 Cabernets is the specificity of its sourcing. The Max II and Max V vineyard blocks in the Aconcagua Valley benefit from a Mediterranean climate with meaningful diurnal temperature variation — conditions that develop concentrated polyphenols and preserve natural acidity, giving the wine both richness and freshness. The 85/15 Cabernet Sauvignon–Cabernet Franc blend adds aromatic lift and mid-palate complexity that a monovarietal bottling often lacks at this tier. Dual 91-point scores from James Suckling and Wine Advocate confirm that Viña Errazuriz, with over 150 years of winemaking history, continues to produce one of Chile's most dependable reserva-level reds.