David Lawrason’s Weekly Wine Pick: a Chilean red with heritage

Cousiño-Macul 2009 Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon” src=“https://torontolife.mblycdn.com/uploads/tl/2012/02/feb12WinePick_Cousino-Macul.jpg” alt=“Cousiño-Macul 2009 Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon” width=“160” height=“400”>Cousiño-Macul 2009 Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon

$15.45 | Maipo Valley | 89 Points One doesn’t think of Chilean wines having heritage, but this classy, smaller winery first made Antiguas Reserva all the way back in the 1920s.

The taste: This has a rich, almost creamy aroma combining cassis, subtle eucalyptus leaf, chocolate and tobacco. It’s medium-full and very smooth, underpinned by firm acidity, lead pencil minerality and firm tannin. I have tasted ten-year-old vintages that are drinking beautifully.

How to drink it: Best to consume from 2013 to 2017. Like most fine young cabernets, the tannin is still firm and aging will soften it, but it’s not at all grating—enjoy it now if you wish. Great for winter roasts.

LCBO 212993