Since the first vintage of El Cabernet de Ránquil La Capilla in 2020, each harvest has been a learning opportunity at Viña Morandé. Year after year, we have come to better understand the dynamics of this Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard—one of the oldest in the Americas, at 131 years old—gaining deeper insight into how it responds to climatic conditions and how it expresses its unique identity.
From the very first vinification, we knew we were facing something unique. Even in a warm and dry year in Itata Valley, the quality of the fruit and the health of the vines impressed us profoundly. In 2021, with the return of rainfall and a slower ripening season, we observed new layers of freshness and depth.
The 2022 vintage, meanwhile, was considered warm in the context of recent years, with heat peaks that demanded even closer attention in the vineyard. We implemented practices such as light leaf removal and early cluster thinning to minimize vine stress as much as possible. It was a season that once again demonstrated this site's ability to preserve its identity even under warmer conditions, confirming a consistency that excites us while also challenging us to continue learning.
From Vineyard to Cellar: The Making of El Cabernet de Ránquil
Our challenge is not to shape El Cabernet de Ránquil according to a preconceived idea, but rather to interpret with sensitivity, purity, and authenticity what the vineyard offers us. Year after year, we have maintained virtually the same winemaking approach, with fermentation in 1,500- and 2,800-liter open-top oak vats, followed by 16 months of aging in second-, third-, and fourth-use 225-liter French oak barrels.
The two years of bottle aging have also remained unchanged since 2020. This care is reflected in a wine of bright garnet-red color, intensely fruit-driven, with predominant notes of sour cherry and redcurrant, accompanied by hints of tea and a distinctive touch of fresh herbs. On the palate, it displays firm structure, breadth, and persistence.
Another aspect that reflects our growing understanding of this project is the gradual evolution in production volumes. We went from approximately 2,000 bottles in the inaugural vintage to 2,300 in 2021 and 2,900 in 2022. These are still very small quantities (as they should be when working with such old vines), but they demonstrate the confidence we have built over the years in the consistency and potential of this singular site.
Beyond the unique opportunity to work with these vineyards and learn so much from them, it is deeply rewarding to see this journey recognized by the specialized wine press.
The 2020 vintage of La Capilla received 98 points from Guia Descorchados and was named Vino Revelación (Breakout Wine), in addition to earning 94 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate and La Cav.
The 2021 vintage followed the same path, receiving 98 points from James Suckling, 97 points from Tim Atkin MW — and being included among Chile’s Wines of the Year — as well as 94 points from both La Cav and Susie & Peter MW. More recently, the 2022 vintage debuted with 97 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
We receive these recognitions with great satisfaction, but also with the conviction that each vintage represents only another chapter in a story far greater than ourselves. Today, when I look at the journey of El Cabernet de Ránquil, I feel that we are only beginning to discover everything this vineyard is capable of expressing.
Ricardo Baettig
Winemaking Director at Viña Morandé