Calcu, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 I love Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, and regard the country as being (clearly) one of the world’s premier sources for this primo red variety.  That’s essentially because the wines tend to show such a strong location signature, with faintly leafy notes and cedar undertones and rarely any excess ripeness or overt residual sugar.  In brief, Chile offers the closest thing to Bordeaux outside of Bordeaux, but at much more attractive prices.  This is a remarkable case in point for $14, offering a level of complexity and class and varietal character that is virtually unobtainable from anywhere else.  It is really medium-bodied rather than being overly rich, and it finishes with dark berry and cassis fruit notes but no overt sweetness, and should accordingly be understood in contradistinction to Cabernets in this price category from California, Argentina or Australia.  It is vastly better than the norm in this price category from any of those three alternative locations, but you’ll need to try it for yourself to determine your personal preferences.