Santa Rita Triple C 2022

This prestigious, icon-tier red blend originates from Chile, crafted in the renowned Maipo Valley subregion. Founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernández Concha, Viña Santa Rita is one of Chile's most historic and internationally celebrated wineries. The name Triple C represents the three foundational grape varieties that compose this super-premium blend: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenère. Sourced primarily from high-quality vineyards in the upper Maipo Valley (such as the famed Alto Jahuel estate), the vines sit at the foot of the Andes Mountains, where gravelly alluvial soils, intense high-altitude sunlight, and cool alpine winds create an ideal microclimate for producing structured, cellar-worthy Bordeaux-style reds.

Wine Description

In the glass, the 2022 Triple C presents a deep, dark ruby-violet color with intense depth. The complex and expressive nose opens with aromas of ripe black currant, dark plum, and cassis, seamlessly integrated with floral violet notes, crushed dried herbs, tobacco leaf, graphite, and subtle toasted oak nuances of dark chocolate and cedar. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich, and sophisticated. Cabernet Franc provides a fragrant, fresh structural backbone; Cabernet Sauvignon supplies power, weight, and fine-grained tannins; and Carmenère imparts a lush, velvety mouthfeel alongside ripe black fruit and subtle herbal complexity. The hand-harvested grapes undergo meticulous sorting and small-batch temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by approximately 14 to 18 months of maturation in French oak barrels (a high percentage of which are new). The alcohol by volume sits at 14.5%.

Food Pairing

The muscular structure, rich fruit concentration, and savory herbal undertones of this Chilean blend make it an exceptional partner for hearty, high-end gastronomy. Excellent culinary matches include grilled prime ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic, slow-braised beef short ribs, and roasted duck breast with a dark fruit reduction. It also complements traditional South American grilled meats (asado), game meats like venison, wild mushroom ragù, and aged hard cheeses such as sharp Gouda, Manchego, or mature Cheddar.

Vintage Quality

The 2022 growing season in the Maipo Valley featured classic warm days and cool Andean nights, allowing late-ripening varieties to achieve complete phenolic maturity while retaining essential natural freshness and acidity. This diurnal temperature swing protected the aromatic freshness of the Cabernet Franc and preserved the velvety texture of the Carmenère. The 2022 Santa Rita Triple C is an age-worthy, deeply concentrated bottling that offers impressive generosity and polish upon release after decanting, while holding the structural balance to evolve gracefully in cellars for 10 to 15+ years.