Viña Aquitania Lazuli Review

FYI: I find great wine deals so you don’t have to. To keep me on the hunt, I earn a commission when you buy wine based on my recommendations.

Lazuli: What I think

Cabernet Sauvignon may be the king of grapes, but it tastes quite different depending on where it’s grown. Learning about these differences is one of the great benefits of joining a wine club like Int'l Wine Club which takes you on a wine tour of the world.

Among the different regions known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chilean Cabs are most similar to Napa Cabs, but this similarity varies by producer (style preferences, use of oak, specific location) and vintage (climatic variables).

Generically, Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits flavors of Black Fruit (currant, plum, berry, and cherry), some kind of spice (varies wildly depending on where it’s grown), and, depending on climate and vineyard practices, some variety of “green” from a compound known as “pyrazines” (green bell or jalapeño pepper, green peppercorn, mint, graphite, and dark chocolate).

This Chilean Cab did not thrill our tasting group. Our most disliked characteristic was subdued fruitiness. The wine seemed out of balance. There was also a pronounced taste of eucalyptus and menthol. For some people, these descriptions are heaven — smooth, not overly fruity, and eucalyptus are all desired flavor profiles for many wine drinkers (just not this one).

A bit about the wine and winery: This wine scored 94 points from Vinous Media (a serious wine publication) and 96 points from Tim Atkin, Master of Wine. The winery was founded by Bordeaux legends from Château Cos d’Estournel and Château Margaux in the early 1990s. And, while the winery produces their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon every year, they only produce Lazuli in exceptional years.

Last updated: March 21, 2023