Valley & Foothills
Among the contrasts that stood out in the tasting, one was between the valley floor wine, from Curicó, and the Alto Maipo wines, from the Andean foothills. The 1996 Santa Carolina Cabo de Hornos from Curicó was fully mature. In comparison to the other bottles we opened, it showed oxidation as an element of its flavor profile. Some of the Alto Maipo wines may have touched on oxidation, but it was insignificant. The Curicó wine still delivered pleasure, enchanting several of the tasters, including James Conley of Keen’s Steakhouse, who commented on its gentle spice aromas.