Albis, Haras De Pirque, 2020
Albis, Haras De Pirque, 2020
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2035
Marchese Piero discovered this pristine estate in the heart of the Maipo Valley and began a joint venture in 2001 with the owners, before acquiring the whole property in 2017. Albis is the flagship wine from the estate, a beautifully expressive Cabernet with a dash of Chile’s signature Carménère.
We've enjoyed several vintages of this charmer and it really offers cracking value for the table. It also has the structure, acidity and depth of fruit for extended cellaring, and the 2020 is the highest-scored release yet with 94 points from James Suckling.
The 2020 Albis is currently in its primary fruit phase, with the tannins still quite firm and the integration between fruit, oak, and structure still developing. Over the next two to three years, we expect the chocolaty tannins to soften considerably while the blackcurrant fruit begins to show more complexity and depth. By 2028-2030, secondary characteristics should emerge, with cedar, leather, and tobacco notes complementing the still-vibrant fruit. The organic farming and high-altitude terroir suggest this wine has the structure for longer development than many New World Cabernets.
What the critics say:
"Deep yet attractive nose with lots of tapenade, spiced blackberries and blackcurrants. Some mint leaf, dark chocolate and currant leaves, too. The full-bodied palate is loaded with chocolaty tannins, which are super tight but fine-grained. Very youthful, vertical and impressively structured. Lots of muscle and length. It will need at least two to three years to soften and open up more. There is potential. From organically grown grapes. Wait until 2026."
"The 2020 Albis is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Carmenere from Pirque, Maipo Alto. it was aged for 16 months in new French barrels. An intense purplish-red in color. The nose offers blackberry and blackcurrant with attractive hints of cedar, bay leaf and marjoram. Indulgent in the mouth, the terse tannins of the region structure the rich, intense palate before the long, fruity finish. Here, the winery has found a way to mitigate the effects of the warm year. "
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep, intense purplish-red with excellent concentration and a youthful rim.
NoseThe aromatics leap from the glass with blackcurrant, spiced blackberries, and dark chocolate taking centre stage. Distinctive mint leaf and cedar notes follow, along with subtle tapenade richness and bay leaf complexity. There's a sense of coiled energy here, suggesting the wine is just beginning to reveal its potential.
PalateFull-bodied and muscular, with chocolaty tannins that are impressively structured yet fine-grained rather than harsh. The fruit intensity is remarkable, with rich blackcurrant and blackberry flavours supported by that signature Maipo mintiness. The Carménère component adds herbal complexity and a distinctive Chilean character without overwhelming the Cabernet's noble structure.
FinishVery long and fruity, with the tannins providing excellent length and the potential for extended development.
Overall impressionThis is Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon at its most serious and age-worthy, with the muscle to develop beautifully over the next decade.
Food Pairings
In Chile, this style of structured Maipo Cabernet would traditionally accompany asado, the country's beloved barbecue culture centred around perfectly grilled beef. Think thick-cut steaks from grass-fed cattle, chorizo criollo with its distinctive spicing, and cordero al palo (spit-roasted lamb) cooked slowly over wood coals. The wine's firm tannins and blackcurrant intensity can handle the char and richness of these preparations, while its herbal notes complement chimichurri and other herb-based condiments. Empanadas de pino, filled with seasoned beef, hard-boiled eggs, and olives, would also be a natural match, as would cazuela de cordero, a hearty lamb stew that's a Chilean winter staple.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 17-18°C to allow the full complexity to emerge without masking the fruit. Given the wine's youth and structure, we'd recommend decanting for at least 90 minutes, or even two to three hours if you're opening it now. Use large Bordeaux glasses to give the aromatics room to develop. If you're planning to cellar this, store it horizontally in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature around 12-14°C.
The vineyards sit in the Maipo Alto subregion of Pirque, where the Andes foothills create a natural amphitheatre of gravelly alluvial soils over clay subsoils. At 650 metres elevation, the vines benefit from dramatic diurnal temperature variation, with scorching days and cool nights that preserve acidity and concentrate flavours. The combination of excellent drainage from the gravel and the clay's water retention creates ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, while the slightly cooler microclimates allow Carménère to ripen fully without losing its characteristic herbal complexity. This high-altitude terroir produces wines with both power and elegance, avoiding the overripe character that can plague warmer Chilean sites.
Maipo Valley, and particularly the Maipo Alto subregion, represents the aristocracy of Chilean wine regions. Established in the 19th century by European immigrants, it remains the country's most prestigious address for Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Andes-proximate vineyards of Pirque, Puente Alto, and Las Condes producing Chile's most age-worthy reds. The DO regulations are relatively permissive compared to European appellations, but the region's reputation rests on its consistent ability to produce structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon with distinctive mintiness and cedar notes. Unlike the warmer Central Valley, Maipo Alto's altitude and proximity to the mountains creates wines with genuine finesse and cellaring potential.
2020 in Maipo Valley arrived with the sort of textbook conditions that make winemakers quietly smug. The growing season unfolded with steady warmth and well-timed winter rains, creating what locals describe as one of those rare vintages where nature simply cooperated. Harvest kicked off earlier than usual, with healthy, concentrated fruit coming in at ideal ripeness levels across the valley's diverse microclimates.
The wines show remarkable balance between power and finesse, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon which dominates here. These aren't the brooding, tannic monsters of cooler years but wines with immediate appeal backed by serious structure. Carmenère performed brilliantly, producing wines with deeper colour and more defined herbal character than we often see. Most 2020 Maipo reds are drinking beautifully now and will continue to reward patience until 2035, though the best Alto Maipo Cabernets deserve a few more years to fully reveal their considerable charm.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich and structured, with intense blackcurrant and spiced blackberries, dark chocolate, and distinctive mint leaf character. The tannins are firm but fine-grained, giving the wine serious presence without being harsh.
When should I drink this wine?
It's just hitting its stride now in 2026 after a couple of years to settle, but will reward patience until the late 2030s. If you're opening it now, decant for at least 90 minutes.
What food pairs well with this wine?
This calls for substantial dishes like grilled steaks, roasted lamb, or rich stews. The structure can handle bold flavours and char from the grill, while the herbal notes complement chimichurri and herb-based sauces beautifully.
Should I cellar this wine?
Absolutely. This is built for the long haul and will develop considerable complexity over the next decade. Store horizontally in a cool, dark place and check back in 2030 for peak drinking.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve at 17-18°C in large Bordeaux glasses. Decant for 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on your patience level - the wine will reward the extra time to open up.
What makes this wine special?
It's the flagship wine from Antinori's Chilean estate, combining Tuscan winemaking expertise with premium Maipo Alto terroir. The 2020 is the highest-scored vintage yet, showing both immediate appeal and serious cellaring potential.
OUR GROWERS
Haras de Pirque
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