Don Maximiano Founders Reserve
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 8 to 20 years from the vintage release, though top vintages can cellar gracefully for a quarter of a century.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted rack of lamb, prime rib-eye steak, or slow-cooked venison stew.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve is the flagship cuvée of Viña Errázuriz, named in honor of Don Maximiano Errázuriz, who founded the estate in 1870. Don Maximiano famously declared, 'From the best land, the best wine,' a philosophy embodied in this iconic Bordeaux-style blend. Sourced primarily from the historic Max vineyards in the mid-section of the Aconcagua Valley, the vines thrive on colluvial soils with high stone content, which provides excellent drainage and imparts a distinct mineral tension. The climate here features hot, dry days tempered by cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while preserving vibrant acidity. Traditionally dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend is artfully completed with Carmenere, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, then aged for up to 22 months in French oak barrels. This produces a wine of immense structure, complexity, and elegance, marked by deep black fruit, graphite, and sweet spice notes.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errázuriz, Viña Errázuriz is a historic Chilean winery located in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley. Under the visionary leadership of descendant Eduardo Chadwick, the estate has pioneered the exploration of the valley's diverse microclimates, from the warm interior plains to the cool, ocean-influenced coastal zones. Errázuriz is globally renowned for its philosophy of crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines that showcase purity and structure, particularly through its iconic Bordeaux-style blend, Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve, and the acclaimed Kai Carmenere. This commitment to excellence has cemented the estate's reputation as a premier benchmark for high-quality Chilean winemaking on the international stage.