Los Vascos Le Dix 2014

Los Vascos Le Dix 2014 is a limited-production Colchagua Valley red blend at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle, produced by Viña Los Vascos under the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). James Suckling awarded this vintage 94 points, calling it potentially the "Best Dix ever" and praising its precision, focus, and polished structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Colchagua Valley, Chile  |  Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenère, 5% Syrah  |  Producer: Viña Los Vascos (Domaines Barons de Rothschild/Lafite)

Production & Heritage

Viña Los Vascos is owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, the same family behind the legendary Château Lafite Rothschild in Bordeaux. Le Dix draws its Cabernet Sauvignon from "El Fraile" ("the monk"), the oldest planted vineyard on the estate, where many parcels contain vines reaching 80 years of age. The wine is aged for 18 months in new French oak barriques and produced in very limited quantities — in poor vintages, it is not produced at all. The 2014 blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenère, and 5% Syrah reflects a Bordeaux-influenced philosophy applied to Chilean terroir, with the Carmenère and Syrah adding depth and aromatic complexity to the old-vine Cabernet backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe dark cherries and raspberries before moving into blueberry and prune. Deeper layers reveal dark chocolate, cigar box, and warm spice notes of saffron, paprika, and black pepper.

Taste: The palate entry is broad-shouldered and mouthfilling, delivering dark plum, currant, and dried raspberry with firm, well-structured tannins. Mid-palate, toasted oak and slate minerality emerge, while the Carmenère contributes a silky texture and the Syrah adds a peppery undertone. The overall impression is one of large volume balanced by elegant, polished tannins.

Finish: The finish is long and savory, with lingering notes of slate, cinnamon, and tobacco. Chocolate and dried fruit echo quietly as the tannins taper with refined grip.

How to Drink Le Dix 2014

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and decant for at least 30 minutes to let the complex aromatics fully open. This is a wine built for contemplative sipping alongside a meal. It pairs superbly with grilled ribeye steak, where its firm tannins cut through the richness. Lamb shoulder braised with herbs mirrors the wine's savory, spiced character. A classic coq au vin echoes its dark fruit and oak-driven depth.

Best For

• Gifting a Bordeaux lover who appreciates New World interpretations
• Anchoring a Chilean wine tasting flight as the flagship pour
• Pairing with a special-occasion red meat dinner
• Cellaring for collectors interested in Rothschild-produced Chilean wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Le Dix 2014 taste like? Le Dix 2014 delivers mouthfilling flavors of dark plum, currant, and dried raspberry supported by firm tannins, with toasted oak, slate minerality, and warm spice notes of chocolate and cinnamon weaving through a savory, lingering finish.

How does Le Dix compare to other Rothschild Chilean wines? Le Dix is the flagship expression from Viña Los Vascos, produced only in exceptional vintages from the estate's oldest vines and aged 18 months in new barriques, whereas the standard Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon is an entry-level bottling designed for earlier drinking. The Rothschild ownership means Le Dix is produced with a Bordeaux Grand Cru philosophy applied to Colchagua Valley fruit.

Is Le Dix 2014 good for cellaring? Yes — the firm tannic structure, concentrated fruit, and 18 months of new oak aging give this wine significant cellaring potential. James Suckling's 94-point rating noted its youth and linear focus, suggesting further development is possible over the next several years.

Where is Le Dix 2014 made? Le Dix 2014 is produced at Viña Los Vascos in the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's premier red wine regions located south of Santiago. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the estate's El Fraile vineyard, the original vineyard on the property with vines up to 80 years old.

What foods pair well with Le Dix 2014? Grilled ribeye steak matches its bold tannins and dark fruit intensity. Slow-braised lamb shanks complement the savory, spiced finish. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the wine's nutty, toasted oak character. Duck confit pairs with its plum and cherry richness. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa and cinnamon undertones.

What sizes does Le Dix 2014 come in? Le Dix 2014 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Le Dix 2014 worth the price? Le Dix positions as a premium Chilean red that punches well above its price tier, offering old-vine concentration, new oak aging, and Rothschild-level winemaking at a fraction of the cost of comparable Bordeaux. A 94-point James Suckling score and a Silver medal from the International Wine Challenge reinforce its strong value proposition.

Why Le Dix 2014?

The 2014 vintage earned the highest praise James Suckling has given this label, with 94 points and the declaration that it may be the best Le Dix produced to date. Its foundation — 80-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines from the historic El Fraile vineyard — is a resource few Chilean estates can match. The Domaines Barons de Rothschild stewardship applies Bordeaux-caliber discipline to a wine produced only when the vintage warrants it, making each release a genuine event. For drinkers seeking the intersection of Chilean terroir and First Growth pedigree, the 2014 Le Dix stands as a compelling benchmark.