This is the highest score ever achieved by the wine in the publication, and the second- highest rating ever given to a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley — singled out by acclaimed critic Joaquín Hidalgo as one of the standout expressions of the variety for its “precision and depth,” a testament to the evolution, quality and enduring legacy of this Chilean icon in the world.

Viña Santa Rita’s flagship wine, Casa Real 2022, has been awarded 98 points by the prestigious American publication Vinous, founded by Antonio Galloni and regarded as one of the world’s most influential wine criticism platforms. This is the highest score Casa Real has ever received in the Chile Report, as well as the second-highest score awarded to a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley in this edition.

The wine was reviewed by Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous’ editor, who highlighted its ability to express the identity of its origin in Alto Jahuel with remarkable precision, while reflecting a stylistic evolution defined by greater finesse and depth: “Casa Real 2022 is one of the standout Maipo Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage. From Alto Jahuel, it is distinguished by its precision and depth:

“The nose offers layers of black and red fruit, including blackberry, sour cherry and cassis, alongside graphite, balsamic notes and well-integrated oak (…). This vintage suits the wine perfectly, reinforcing a stylistic shift toward nuance and definition rather than overt ripeness. Juicy and finely textured, the palate flows with ease and builds toward a refined, lingering finish.”

During his visit to Viña Santa Rita, Hidalgo joined a vertical tasting of Casa Real, sampling different vintages of the iconic wine alongside winemaker Sebastián Labbé, who was named among The Drinks Business’ Master Winemaker Top 100.

The 2023, 2021 and 2012 vintages each earned 97 points, confirming its consistency over time and its ability to faithfully express the identity of its origin across different growing seasons.

Casa Real 2023 was highlighted by Hidalgo as “a well-calibrated Cabernet Sauvignon for a warm, dry year, with an earlier harvest shaping its fresher, more agile expresión. It is a departure from the classic house style that reflects the vintage.” This new edition will be officially released through La Place de Bordeaux in late August 2026, marking the sixth consecutive year in which this wine has been presented through one of the world’s most prestigious fine wine distribution networks.

The 2021 vintage, meanwhile, was highlighted as an intense and harmonious red, that “shows intensity and nuance in a more Bordeaux-leaning register.” The 2012 vintage showcased the wine’s exceptional ageing potential, revealing “its darker, evolved profile.”

Sourced from a 20-hectare vineyard planted during the 1970s and 1980s in the Carneros Viejo and Población sectors of Alto Jahuel, Casa Real is the only Chilean icon crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon since its inaugural vintage in 1989, representing the purest expression of the variety.

Throughout its history, Casa Real has played a defining role in establishing the Maipo Valley as one of the world’s great origins for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its purity, consistency and authenticity have cemented its position as an international benchmark, making it the first Latin American wine to receive Decanter’s “Wine Legend” distinction and one of the first five Chilean wines to join La Place de Bordeaux.

This recognition reaffirms its position among the world’s great icons, further cementing Viña Viña Santa Rita’s legacy in shaping Chile’s top-tier, world-class wines.