2022 Seleccion de Parcelas Los Padrinos Cabernet Sauvignon
Buying options
Tasting notes
The first vintage of Los Padrinos, Baettig’s Selección de Parcelas Cabernet Sauvignon, a “Premier Cru” equivalent, is only offering more since we first tasted it in February. From a single parcel of 120-year-old País vines grafted over to Cabernet Sauvignon in Cauquenes, aged for 15 months in 65% new French oak, it’s strikingly different to Los Compadres – a much darker, spicier and smokier expression. The two wines share their tension, with firm acidity that forms the backbone of the wine and drives the long finish, as well as gloriously crunchy and fresh fruit. The nose is savoury and brooding at first, but sweeter plum and cassis fruit lurks behind, while there’s a tart, bright bite to the palate. It still feels compact at this youthful stage, the power and gum-drying tannins needing time to unfurl.
This is the first release of Baettig's Selección de Parcelas Cabernet Sauvignon, Los Padrinos. What they consider their "Premier Cru", it comes from a single parcel of 120-year-old País vines grafted over to Cabernet Sauvignon in Cauquenes, aged for 15 months in 65% new French oak. The 2022 is full of promise, and it will be so exciting to see this wine develop. The nose is delicate but polished, with perfumed aromas of cassis, cedar, plum and black cherry. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with lifted herbal tones that add freshness and depth to the abundance of ripe, dark fruit. The backbone of vibrant acidity and firm but gravelly tannins provide a chiselled framework that complements the wine’s austere style. This will need a bit of time to come together, so best approached from 2027.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Aged for 15 months in 65% new barrique, the 2022 Selección de Parcelas Los Padrinos Cabernet Sauvignon comes from an old País vineyard dating back to the 19th century that was converted to Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1980s. The aroma boasts a classic Cabernet bouquet, gracefully rising from the glass with notes of black fruits, pipe tobacco, fresh herbs and a coniferous, forest-like accent I find unique to this region. The palate is rich and sumptuous yet remarkably defined and focused, finishing with a stunning, saturated and drying profile of perfectly precise tannins. Like the 2023 iteration, the attention to detail here is outstanding, while successfully avoiding the sensation of being over-engineered. This wine will benefit from a bit more time to soften the finish slightly, but it remains a remarkable expression of Maule.
Wonderful concentration here with bright blackcurrant fruit supported by some spicy detail. There’s a leafy green edge and then lovely sweet, concentrated cherry and blackcurrant fruit. Really fine and with some potential for ageing.
The winemaker who put Vinedo Chadwick on the map now lends his elegant touch to Maule. Crushed raspberries meddled with fresh herbs and wild flowers make this one of the most seductive Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons. Verve, tenacity and a thrilling spine of fine tannins hint at the ageing capacity of this exciting debut.
About the producer
Baettig is the exciting project from leading winemaker Francisco Baettig (of Errázuriz fame). Crafting vibrant, site-expressive wines from Chile’s south, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Malleco and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maule – this is one of the hottest names in South America.