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Maipo Valley

Chile

About Maipo Valley

Chile's most prestigious red wine region, the Maipo Valley surrounds Santiago and extends from the Andes foothills to the coastal range. Alto Maipo, at higher elevations in the Andes foothills, produces Chile's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon with structure, depth, and elegance that rivals Bordeaux. The region's Mediterranean climate, with virtually no summer rainfall and irrigation from Andean snowmelt, creates predictable growing conditions. Warm days and cool Andean nights preserve acidity, while alluvial and volcanic soils add mineral complexity.

Vintage Ratings

Rating:
5
4
3
2
1
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990
Red

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Outstanding Maipo Valley Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Almost ready
Excellent

High natural acidity and strong varietal character. Longer growing cycle after drought years recharged soils.

2027Peak 2030–20382042

2022

Ready
Excellent

Excellent concentration, balance, purity, and structure. An extremely dry vintage alleviated by a moderate season that allowed optimal development.

2025Peak 2028–20382042

2021

Ready
Exceptional

Exceptional vintage for Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh yet concentrated wines with lower alcohol and great acidity.

2024Peak 2028–20402045

2019

At peak
Exceptional

Balanced and cool, with good thermal amplitude yielding aromatically expressive Cabernet Sauvignon with balanced acidity. One of the top recent vintages for Maipo reds.

2022Peak 2026–20382042

2018

At peak
Excellent

Slightly cooler-than-average temperatures produced structured, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon with good freshness, acidity, and colour. Precise and age-worthy.

2021Peak 2025–20362040

2015

At peak
Excellent

A warm growing season and good harvest weather delivered powerful Cabernet Sauvignons from Maipo. One of the strongest regions in this vintage.

2018Peak 2023–20342038

2013

At peak
Excellent

Cool vintage delivering fresh, well-structured Cabernet Sauvignon with good balance between concentration and flavour. Elegant wines with aging potential.

2016Peak 2020–20302034

2012

At peak
Excellent

Warm summer weather resulted in an early harvest with clean, disease-free fruit. Yields 15% above average.

2015Peak 2019–20292033

2007

At peak
Excellent

Cooler temperatures through the growing season resulted in a late harvest and reduced yields. Maipo Cabernet shows supple textures and excellent length.

2010Peak 2015–20262030

2006

Drink now
Excellent

Very consistent through all valleys. Late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent.

2009Peak 2014–20242028

2005

At peak
Exceptional

Long, moderate growing season consistent through all valleys. Cabernet Sauvignon excelled with lots of ripe, soft tannins.

2008Peak 2013–20272032

2003

Past window
Excellent

Cool start followed by a long season of warm days and cool nights. Wines show power and structure from all major valleys.

2006Peak 2011–20222025

2001

Past window
Excellent

Dry, hot summer and low yields produced many solid wines. Maipo excelled alongside Aconcagua and Rapel.

2004Peak 2009–20202024

1999

Past window
Excellent

Drought conditions produced a small crop of ripe, concentrated reds with big tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo was superb according to Wine Spectator.

2002Peak 2007–20182022

Subregions

Alto Maipo

Terroir & Character

Climate

drymediterranean

Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The Andes create cooling influences and significant diurnal temperature variation, allowing grapes to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity and developing complex flavors.

Terroir

diverse soilsalluvialclaylimestone

Diverse soils ranging from alluvial deposits near the Maipo River to rocky, well-draining clay and limestone soils in the foothills. The higher elevation Alto Maipo sub-region features particularly poor, stony soils that stress vines positively, concentrating flavors and producing more structured, age-worthy wines.

Typical Aromas

cassiseucalyptusdark chocolatetobacco leafcedargraphite
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Maipo Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon

red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackcurrantgreen bell peppermintcedar

Thick-skinned, naturally tannic grape. Blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux; made as single varietal in New World regions.

Carmenère

red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
blackberryplumgreen peppereucalyptus

Originally from Bordeaux, now a flagship variety in Chile. Rich and full-bodied with distinctive herbaceous notes that soften with full ripeness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Maipo Valley wine special?▼
Maipo Valley is Chile's most prestigious red wine region, and what makes it special is its incredible terroir - it sits right in the Andes foothills around Santiago with amazing elevation differences. The Alto Maipo subregion produces Cabernet Sauvignon that's so structured and elegant it rivals the best Bordeaux wines. The combination of mountain slopes, diverse microclimates, and that dramatic temperature variation between day and night creates wines with serious depth and complexity.
What are the best Maipo Valley vintages?▼
The standout vintages are 2021 and 2019, both rated 5/5 - these were exceptional years that produced fresh yet concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon with incredible aromatics. 2024, 2022, and 2018 are also excellent at 4/5, with 2022 showing amazing concentration and balance from an extremely dry year. 2024 is looking great with high natural acidity and strong varietal character from a longer growing season.
What grapes are grown in Maipo Valley?▼
Cabernet Sauvignon is the king here - it's what Maipo Valley is famous for, especially from the Alto Maipo area. Carmenère is the other key grape, which is actually Chile's signature variety that was originally from Bordeaux but thrives in Chilean conditions. These two reds dominate the plantings and produce the region's most celebrated wines.
Is 2024 a good year for Maipo Valley?▼
Yes, 2024 is definitely a good year - it's rated 4/5 for reds in Maipo Valley. The wines show high natural acidity and strong varietal character, thanks to a longer growing cycle. While it's not quite at the exceptional level of 2021 or 2019, it's still a very solid vintage that should produce well-structured wines.
When should I drink Maipo Valley 2024?▼
Since 2024 Maipo wines are just being released, I'd suggest giving them at least 2-3 years to settle down and develop more complexity. The high natural acidity and strong structure from this vintage means they'll age beautifully - you could drink them from 2027 through the mid-2030s. If you want to try them young, decant them for an hour or two to help them open up.
What food pairs well with Maipo Valley wines?▼
Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with red meat - think grilled steaks, lamb, or traditional Chilean asado barbecue. The structured, elegant style also works beautifully with roasted game, aged cheeses, and rich stews. For Carmenère, try it with spicier dishes like empanadas, grilled sausages, or anything with herbs and pepper - it loves those bold, earthy flavors.
How does Maipo Valley compare to other major wine regions?▼
Maipo Valley punches well above its weight - the best Alto Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon genuinely rivals Bordeaux in terms of structure and elegance, but with a distinctly Chilean character. It's more approachable than Napa Valley Cabernet when young, but ages just as gracefully. Compared to other South American regions like Mendoza, Maipo tends to be more refined and less powerful, focusing on finesse over pure concentration.