A Wine for Tonight: 2008 Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon
By Kori ~ November 1st, 2012.
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2008 Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley of Chile.
Our selection criteria include:
- A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
- A price tag of <=$20
- Must be widely available
Founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernandez Concha in Chile’s Maipo Valley, Santa Rita Winery was among the first to pioneer plantings of European grape varieties in Chile. In 1980, its present owner, Gruppo Claro, acquired Santa Rita. The winery has vineyards in several of Chile’s appellations including the Maipo Valley, Apalta, Casablanca, Rapel, Leyda, and Curico. Grapes for Santa Rita’s Medalla Real wines are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness from their best and oldest vineyards.
“Deep ruby-red in color, with a bouquet of black fruits such as blackcurrants, blueberries, and blackberries with dried figs, cigar box, and spice notes. The concentrated palate offers well-rounded ripe tannins that create the prominent backbone that leads the wine on to a long, lingering finish.†–Santa Rita
2008 Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Maipo Valley, Chile): 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby red. Aromatic with black fruit, spice, and a touch of smoke on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied and lively with medium to high tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: BevMo (Tukwila, Washington), $17.99; Available elsewhere, $12 to $20
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chilean Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25