| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Main grapes | |
| Other grapes | |
| Vintage | |
| Bottle sizes |
Le Dix de Los Vascos 2021 is produced by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) at their pioneering wine estate in the Colchagua Valley. This iconic Chilean red wine blend, produced primarily from old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon, is named in honour of the Rothschild family’s first ten years in Chile.
Reflecting Lafite’s uncompromising standards, Le Dix is released only in exceptional vintages; production was skipped entirely in 1998 and 2005, for example. The 2021 vintage displays the classic elegance, structural precision, and deep, dark fruit complexity one expects from a property under the Rothschild family stewardship. It is available to buy now, both in-store and online at Fareham Wine Cellar.
The grapes for Le Dix de Los Vascos primarily come from an exceptional 70-year-old vineyard known as the “El Fraile”, which means “The Monk”. It is planted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and is quite large at 200 acres; however, due to the age of the vines, careful vineyard management and very particular cuvee selection, the yields are kept very low. The Syrah comes mainly from El Mirador, the first vineyard planted on the hillsides. Crafted from low-yielding 70-year-old vines, Le Dix is widely regarded as one of Chile’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon blends.
Although the estate’s history dates to the 1750s, when vines were planted in the area, Los Vascos was founded in 1982. The name “Los Vascos” means “The Basques”, in honour of its founder’s 18th-century Basque origins
1982. The property was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1988. At the time of the takeover, the vast estate extended over 2,200 hectares, with 220 hectares planted to vine.
DBR Lafite immediately initiated a major investment phase to unlock the estate’s true potential. This pioneering project was driven forward under the strict guidance of the Technical Director of Château Lafite Rothschild, establishing Los Vascos as one of the first major European-backed fine wine ventures in Chile.
Today, the estate spans 3,600 hectares, with 640 hectares of prime vines planted across the volcanic soils of the Colchagua Valley.
Le Dix was relaunched in 2018 with a striking new label design featuring a painting rendered in midnight blue Indian ink, embodying the deep, elegant spirit of the wine. The labels are printed on premium, natural paper stock with strong, visible organic fibres; no two labels are ever the same.
Appearance: Deep ruby in colour, showing subtle hints of garnet at the rim.
Nose: Intense and fruit-forward, featuring clear aromas of black cherry and raspberry. These are balanced by notes of cocoa, graphite, and cedar from the high-quality barrel ageing, showing excellent oak integration.
Palate: Tense and well-concentrated. Although the tannins are prominent on the entry, they are elegant and intense rather than harsh.
Finish & Ageing: Backed by the natural freshness of the 2021 vintage, this wine has excellent structural balance. It will require some time to open up and evolve, but it is built for long-term cellaring.
Le Dix pairs well with red meat dishes like roast rib of beef with rosemary, grilled ribeye steak with a peppercorn sauce or slow-roasted shoulder of lamb.
It also works well with game or mushroom dishes, think pan-seared venison loin with a blackberry jus, or a rich wild mushroom and truffle risotto.
For the cheeseboard, this premium Chilean red wine matches well with hard cheeses like a good mature Cheddar, Comté or aged Manchego.
Lastly, try with a good square of dark chocolate or chocolate desserts.
2021 Vintage
92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
92 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.