Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve represents their legacy, tradition, and continuous quest to create the best and most elegant wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon and also reflects the best of the Aconcagua Valley terroir.
2018 is considered a perfect vintage. It was one of those rare occasions in which all of the conditions were aligned to achieve the best expression of the terroir. These exceptional conditions resulted in a unique balance between power and elegance and delivered wines with depth, intense avours and freshness, and great ageing potential.
The season began with substantial reserves of water in the soils, thanks to the 230 millimetres of rain that fell between May and October, which is signicantly higher than
the 154-millimetres average. These water conditions, in conjunction with temperatures within the historic parameters in the spring and isolated rains, facilitated very even
budbreak. Flowering was also excellent. Until that point in the season, the heat summation had followed a trend that was similar to the historic average, although the weather conditions changed in the summer.
December was hot and dry, resulting in excellent fruit set, while January, which is usually the hottest month of the season, was cool with many cloudy days, which limited the risk of sunburned grapes during veraison and enabled the conservation of excellent acidity. The conditions returned to historic parameters toward the end of the summer,
balancing the season’s total heat summation and ending with just 1% above average and resulting in the perfect end of the season with complete maturation along with excellent fruit intensity.
Tasting Notes
“With a beautiful ruby-red color and a violet hue, the 2018 vintage of Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve captivates with aromas of red fruits recalling cherries, blackcurrants, and crème de cassis framed by light notes of tarts, nuts, and roasted coffee. In line with the perception on the nose, the palate oers refreshing acidity that heightens the red fruits, followed by spices and balsamic notes that recall dill and rosemary. The excellent palate shows tannins with extraordinary texture and tremendous body, making this a very persistent wine with great depth.”
Francisco Baettig, Technical Director
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 7% Carmenere, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc
Ageing: 22 months in French oak barrels, 65% new
