The egregiously heavy glass in which this is bottled is (almost) completely forgiven by how phenomenal a value it is. The Echeverria is a balanced, varietally correct cabernet exhibiting discreet elegance, but revealing cassis and body with some air. At one hour decanted it unfolds with an expansiveness that reaches wide and flavors that evolve into lushness and richness. Given 4 hours open, it really reveals itself, with flavors deepening, but never becoming intense. Quite delicious and pleasant to drink, it's also very precise without punching you in the face, likely due in part to its near mile high vineyards. A beautiful wine with a dry finish that beckons for more investigation. This inky, elegant, high-cheek-boned wine has little to prove, and moves over the palate with ease. At 6 years old, it appears to be at the start of a peak/plateau that will maintain for a long while within what is likely to be an even longer drinking window. As is reflected by the score, this is without question my favorite of the six cabernets in this line-up. Though hard to find, considering how haunting of wine it is, it should be worth the search. If you like the reserve bottling of Robert Mondavi Cabernet, this comes awfully close at one-fifth the price. 95 points
Technical stuff; 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 5% de Carménère from Chada, Paine, “Between the Ranges” (Entre Cordilleras) in Maipo. At a height of 1,330 m/4,365 feet above sea level, the region can be considered an area of transition from Maipo Alto to the vineyards of Colchagua, mainly due to the higher temperatures. Vineyards are located on shallow slopes and planted in alluvial loam soils rich in stones 0-50 cm/0-20 inches deep. These restrictive conditions deliver a ripe, balsamic nose in which dark fruit hovers over pepper and mild pyrazine aromas accompanied by muscular but easygoing tannins.
