Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon

Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon is a biodynamic, old-vine Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from Apalta Valley at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned 94 points from James Suckling and draws fruit from a Cabernet block originally planted in 1920, yielding deeply concentrated grapes at less than two tons per acre.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Apalta Valley, Colchagua Valley, Chile  |  Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot  |  Producer: Casa Lapostolle

Production & Heritage

Casa Lapostolle farms its Apalta estate under certified organic and biodynamic practices, and the Cuvee Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon stands as the flagship expression of that philosophy. Grapes are 100% hand-harvested with strict fruit selection, then fermented entirely with indigenous wild yeast — a choice that amplifies the site-specific character of the vineyard. After fermentation, the wine matures for 13 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which are new, lending subtle toast and structure without overwhelming the fruit. The high-density planting of the original 1920 Cabernet block naturally restricts vigor, producing tiny yields that concentrate flavor well beyond what younger vineyards typically achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherries and fresh blueberries appear first, followed by layers of cassis, crushed stone, and black olive. A thread of graphite and subtle spice adds complexity as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is ripe and fruit-forward, with blackberry and black currant establishing a dense midpalate. Balanced acidity keeps everything lifted, while round, slightly grainy tannins provide full-bodied structure. Notes of herbal nuance and integrated wood spice emerge toward the peak, complementing rather than competing with the dark fruit core.

Finish: Long and smooth, with lingering mineral undertones that add depth. A gentle touch of fresh cherry and light toast carries through the final moments, leaving a clean, persistent impression.

How to Drink Cuvee Alexandre

This wine rewards patience — decant for 30 to 45 minutes before serving at 60–65°F to let the aromatics fully develop. It is best enjoyed neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. For cocktail-adjacent pairings, the Cuvee Alexandre also performs well in a Sangria Roja, where its dark fruit intensity holds up against citrus and brandy; a Cabernet Reduction for finishing seared steaks, using the wine's minerality to deepen the sauce; or a simple Kalimotxo, where its structure and acidity create surprising balance with cola over ice.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates biodynamic and old-vine bottlings
• Anchoring a Chilean wine tasting alongside Carmenère and Syrah selections
• Pairing with a grilled red meat dinner for a special weekend meal
• Adding a critically acclaimed South American label to a cellar collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cuvee Alexandre taste like? It leads with ripe dark fruit — blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry — supported by herbal nuances, subtle graphite, and well-integrated French oak spice. The palate is full-bodied with round tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish.

How does Cuvee Alexandre compare to Almaviva? Both are premium Chilean wines rooted in Cabernet Sauvignon, but Almaviva — a joint venture between Concha y Toro and Château Mouton Rothschild — typically commands a significantly higher price and draws from the Puente Alto subregion of Maipo Valley. Cuvee Alexandre distinguishes itself through its Apalta Valley terroir, certified biodynamic farming, century-old vines, and wild yeast fermentation.

Is Cuvee Alexandre good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and persistent finish make it an ideal wine for contemplative, unadorned drinking. A brief decanting period before serving unlocks the full range of its complexity.

Where is Cuvee Alexandre made? It is produced by Casa Lapostolle at their estate in the Apalta Valley, a sub-region of Colchagua Valley in Chile's Rapel Valley wine zone. Apalta is recognized for its unique horseshoe-shaped geography and exceptional conditions for red grape varieties.

What foods pair well with Cuvee Alexandre? Grilled lamb chops complement its herbal character; aged Gouda echoes its round tannin structure; slow-braised short ribs mirror its dark fruit depth; roasted portobello mushrooms with balsamic play off the wine's earthy minerality; and dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage aligns with its cassis and graphite notes.

What sizes does Cuvee Alexandre come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely distributed format.

Is Cuvee Alexandre worth the price? It positions as a premium Chilean Cabernet that regularly earns scores above 90 points from major critics, including 94 from James Suckling. Within that context, the combination of century-old vines, biodynamic certification, and wild yeast fermentation represents strong value against comparably scored wines from Bordeaux or Napa Valley.

Why Cuvee Alexandre?

The defining edge here is provenance: fruit from a Cabernet block planted over a century ago in 1920, farmed biodynamically in a valley shaped like a natural amphitheater. Very few Chilean wines can claim vines of that age, and fewer still commit to indigenous yeast fermentation and organic certification simultaneously. The 94-point James Suckling score and additional recognition from Wine Enthusiast (91 points), Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (90 points), and Wine Spectator (88 points) confirm that the approach translates into the glass. For anyone seeking a serious, terroir-expressive Chilean Cabernet with real viticultural history behind it, this bottling makes a compelling case.