Domus Aurea Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Professional Ratings

• 96 Wine & Spirits
  In a fresh vintage such as 2011, the herbal, minty notes and red-fruit character of the site are accentuated, the wine filled with vivid aromas that blend with earthy notes. In terms of texture, this cabernet imposes its finesse with the fine point of delicate tannins. The wine's vibrant acidity, bound into the tannins, was fashioned by the cool vintage and the cold breezes coming down from the Andes at the Quebrada de Macul. A classic Chilean cabernet, this captures and preserves the best aspects of Andean reds.
• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Even the 2011 Domus Aurea had been in bottle for a while, as it was bottled in March 2013, a little later than previous vintages. The process was similar to previous years, with a little longer élevage in cask, up to 18 months. The wine is really young, and the menthol, which is a constant in Domus Aurea and a character that shows when young, shows here in quite a subtle way. The wines then close up and this menthol disappears and resurfaces with time in bottle. Right now the nose is beautiful, quite primary with meaty fruit, very good ripeness and balsamic aromas; it is showy, attractive and open. The palate shows great balance and harmony, with sophisticated tannins, good freshness and acidity. You might have difficulty deciding between this 2011 and the 2010, as both are great vintages, but today I give the edge to the 2010. It will be interesting to follow their evolution. 2011 was also a lower-yielding year, and it produced 22,813 bottles.
• 91 Wine Spectator
  This pure and polished version offers a minty aroma, with fresh and intensely spiced flavors of dark cherry, dried berry and plum tart. Minerally midpalate, showing some beefy accents. Medium-grained tannins emerge on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 1,900 cases made.