San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750ml, 14.5% ABV Chilean Cabernet sourced from old vines in the Maipo Valley. A former Wine Spectator Top 100 selection, this single-vineyard bottling has earned 91+ points from the publication across five of its last six vintages, with Tim Atkin MW awarding the 2023 vintage 92 points.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Maipo Valley, Chile  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Viña San Pedro

Production & Heritage

Viña San Pedro, founded in 1865, is one of Chile's oldest and most established wineries. The 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon draws its fruit from 40-year-old vines planted in thin, rocky, alluvial-based soils in the Maipo Valley — a terroir long recognized as Chile's benchmark region for the variety. The grapes undergo a five-day cold soak before a 25- to 30-day fermentation, then spend 12 months in oak — 95% French barrels, split evenly between new and second-fill — to build structure without masking the vineyard's character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich, layered dark fruit greets the nose first — ripe blackcurrant and plum — followed by mocha, vanilla, and subtle eucalyptus. Beneath those primary notes, sweet tobacco and cedar add complexity as the wine opens up.

Taste: The palate enters with concentrated dark cherry and cassis, moving through a fluid, medium- to full-bodied mid-palate accented by paprika and peppery spice. Smoked herbs and a touch of liquorice emerge toward the peak, supported by chewy yet well-integrated tannins that give the wine both grip and balance.

Finish: Medium-long and textured, with lingering notes of cedar, coffee bean, and ripe plum. The tannins taper smoothly, leaving a savory, spice-driven impression.

How to Drink 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine shows best when served at 16–18°C (61–64°F), ideally with 30 minutes of decanting to let the oak and fruit fully integrate. It rewards sipping on its own but also has the structure and weight for food-driven occasions. A classic Cabernet and grilled ribeye pairing highlights the wine's dark fruit and tannic backbone. It stands up well in a bold Sangria built around dark berries and warm spices. For a simpler serve, try it alongside a wine and cheese board featuring aged Manchego, where the wine's cedar and tobacco notes complement the cheese's nuttiness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner with grilled red meats or roasted lamb
• Introducing someone to premium Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Old World structure with New World fruit
• Building a cellar with reliable, critically acclaimed sub-$25 wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? It delivers concentrated dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum with layers of cedar, sweet tobacco, and peppery spice. The tannins are chewy but well-integrated, giving the wine a medium- to full-bodied, savory character.

How does 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon compare to Marqués de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are premium Chilean Cabernets from the Maipo Valley, but the 1865 draws from 40-year-old vines and emphasizes single-vineyard terroir expression. Marqués de Casa Concha, produced by Concha y Toro, tends to see slightly longer oak aging and leans into a rounder, more polished style.

Is 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered aromatics, balanced tannins, and medium-long finish make it an engaging wine to drink on its own, especially after a brief decant to let the oak-driven notes settle.

Where is 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon made? It is produced by Viña San Pedro, one of Chile's oldest wineries, from vineyards in the Maipo Valley — a region in central Chile prized for its alluvial soils and warm, dry growing conditions ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.

What foods pair well with 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon? Grilled ribeye or lamb chops match the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit intensity. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Comté echo its cedar and nutty undertones. Slow-braised beef short ribs complement its savory, spice-driven finish. Dark chocolate desserts bridge nicely with the mocha and vanilla notes from oak aging.

What sizes does 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon worth the price? It positions as a premium-tier Chilean Cabernet that consistently over-delivers for its price bracket, with multiple 91+ point scores from Wine Spectator and a former Top 100 selection lending credibility well beyond typical wines at this level.

Why 1865 Cabernet Sauvignon?

Few wines in this price tier carry the critical track record of the 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon — a former Wine Spectator Top 100 pick with 91+ point scores across the majority of recent vintages. The fruit comes from 40-year-old vines rooted in Maipo Valley's rocky alluvial soils, lending a concentration and terroir specificity that younger plantings rarely achieve. Extended fermentation of up to 30 days and a carefully calibrated French oak program (half new, half second-fill) build complexity without overwhelming the varietal character. For drinkers seeking a serious Chilean Cabernet with legitimate critical backing, this bottling consistently justifies its reputation.