ALBA DE DOMUS
MAIPO VALLEY, CHILE 2018
Why Buy: Alba de Domus makes Cabernets to geek-out over, and that won’t break the bank. The secret? No secret at all, just a great deal of commitment to quality and distinction in both the vineyard and cellar. This is a high-elevation estate that drastically limits yields, practices open-top fermentation (something vanishingly rare in the world of wine), and harvests vine-by-vine. This powerful, bold Cabernet (only 800 cases of which have been imported) is the great beneficiary of their old-school approach, and a wine for all occasions that you'll want to buy by the case.
What They're Saying: Wine Spectator singled out the estate's "second wine" for commendation, calling it, in a 92-point rave, a "silky and refined" Cabernet, "with singed bay leaf and Nyons olive notes to the black cherry and plum core," "fresh acidity," and "fine tannins."
The Story: We love winemakers who honor the land and who give their every effort to bring forth the signal qualities of each wine. Ricardo and Isabel Peña are committed to doing exactly that. It doesn't hurt that their 45-acre estate, Alba de Domus, first planted in 1970, happens to be blessed with such extraordinary terroir. The Viña Quebrada de Macul vineyard is one of the finest in all of Chile's Maipo Valley, situated as it is in the foothills of the Andes, with its abundance of rich, gravelly soils, which stress the grapes to perfection. But the Peñas know that terroir is just a starting point; that a great wine has to be crafted, and that every small decision in the vineyard and the cellar has enormous bearing on what the drinker is going to experience in the glass. To that end, they favor the use of wild yeasts and long aging. They are also adamant about limiting yields, the better to focus on quality and consistency, and on harvesting vine by vine, so that they know precisely when clusters of grapes have reached peak ripeness. It's this attention to detail, combined with a terroir-focused philosophy, that makes these wines memorable, and keeps connoisseurs coming back to Alba de Domus year after year.
Specs: This is a Bordeaux-style blend, predominantly, of Cabernet Sauvignon, with small percentages of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc for softening, rounding, and depth. It was fermented using wild yeasts, then aged in French oak for 18 months. After bottling, it rested for an additional 6 months.
Our Tasting Notes: This impressed us from first to last with its lively personality; it holds nothing back. The aromatics are exuberant and layered (red and dark fruits, dried herbs, black olives), and the palate brings juiciness, savor, and a vivifying energy. With such a large-of-spirit wine, a sense of balance is essential, and that quality is very much in evidence here, thanks in part to its fine, woven tannins and subtle structure.
ABV: 15.4%.
What to Pair It With: A grilled tomahawk steak with chimichurri; roast goose or duck; cheeseburgers; barbecue brisket; grilled sausages with peppers and onions.
Fun Fact: Though, formally, the vineyard is known as Viña Quebrada de Macul,” wine insiders all refer to it as “Domus Aurea," in homage to its top Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, and TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
