Las Cartas Cabernet Sauvignon

Las Cartas Cabernet Sauvignon is a Chilean red from the Maipo Valley that breaks with the heavy, extracted profile common to warm-climate Cabernet. Produced by Ventisquero, the wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve varietal character, then aged in a combination of French and American oak to add structure without masking the fruit. What sets this bottling apart is the unusual brightness in the berry profile—more red fruit than black—giving it a fresher, more lifted personality than most Maipo Cabernets from the same latitude. Ventisquero sources fruit for Las Cartas from estate vineyards in the Maipo Valley, one of Chile's most established wine regions and the historic home of the country's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards sit in the rain shadow of the Andes, where alluvial soils deliver both drainage and mineral content to the vines. The name "Las Cartas" translates to "the letters," meant to evoke a love letter from the vineyard to the glass. Ventisquero positions this bottling as an accessible introduction to the Maipo's potential, balancing regional typicity with approachability. The wine opens with an expressive nose built around strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants, showing more red berry character than you'd expect from a warm-climate Cabernet. Underneath sit secondary notes of black pepper, caramel, tobacco, and a light touch of chocolate, adding savory depth without overwhelming the fruit. On the palate it's medium to full bodied with ripe, smooth tannins and lively acidity that keeps things fresh rather than heavy. The finish is long and fruit forward, letting those red and black berry notes linger alongside warmer spice and tobacco tones. Pair it with grilled skirt steak, empanadas, or a charcuterie board heavy on aged manchego and cured chorizo—the acidity and fruit brightness cut through richness without competing with char or spice. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.