Santa Rita’s Casa Real Marks 25^th Anniversary with a Global Exploration of Cabernet Sauvignon

A blind tasting of twelve of the top Cabernet Sauvignons from all over the world illustrated Casa Real’s ability to stand with iconic Old and New World wines on the international stage.

Influential members of the press and wine trade gathered at the hip NoMad hotel in Manhattan to test their skills in a blind tasting exercise examining the styles, structures, and nuances of this noble grape.  Renowned Australian winemaker, Brian Croser of Petaluma and Tapanappa, and Zelma Long of Vilafonte led the seminar.  Fred Dexheimer, MS acted as the moderator.  Winemakers Cecilia Torres and Andrés Ilabaca of Santa Rita offered valuable insights on Chile’s distinctive terroir and its stamp on the grape.

The twelve wines included in the blind tasting were: Caymus, Château Grand Puy Lacoste, Château Pichon de Longueville, Château Pontet-Canet, Cullen “Diana Madelaine,” Groth, Quilceda Creek, two vintages of Santa Rita Casa Real, Sassicaia, Sacred Hill, and Vilafonte Series C.

Jason Wilson, wine columnist for Harper’s UK said of the event, “New World and Old World styles are much more similar than they have been in the past. The two extremes are moving towards the middle stylistically, which makes it difficult to sometimes differentiate their origins.”

Michael Schachner of the Wine Enthusiast said, “After tasting Casa Real for the past fifteen years, I’ve detected several defining characteristics.  When tasted within the context of other Chilean Cabernet Sauvignons, Casa Real takes on a polished, almost international style.  However, when presented with other international Cabernets, it recaptures its Chilean soul and shows distinctive hints of olive, spice and eucalyptus.”

Marybeth Bentwood, Executive Director, Wines of Chile, commented, "Listening to international experts-- such as Brian Croser from Australia and Zelma Long from California--alongside the two Chilean winemakers from Santa Rita really highlighted Chile’s position on the international wine stage. Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly Santa Rita’s Casa Real, can sit proudly next to Bordeaux, the benchmark of quality by which all Cabernet Sauvignons are judged.  Today’s seminar demonstrated no one country owns the variety and that Chile’s exceptional terroir produces Cabernet on par with First Growth Bordeaux, Super Tuscans and Napa cult Cabernet.”

Since its debut, Casa Real has consistently delivered on quality, character, and the expression of the remarkable terroir of Chile’s Maipo Valley.

About Santa Rita:
Heritage and enterprise are hallmarks of Santa Rita, one of Chile’s premier wine estates. Founded in 1880 in Chile’s Maipo Valley, this historic property was among the first to pioneer plantings of European grape varieties in Chile. In 1980, it was acquired by its present owner, Gruppo Claro, under whom Santa Rita has reaped the rewards of continuous investment, resulting in a period of impressive growth, during which the winery has consolidated its position in the vanguard of Chile’s most successful and innovative estates.  For more visit: www.santarita.com.

About Palm Bay International:
Palm Bay International, a dynamic family-owned company, offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive portfolios of imported wines and spirits, including over 50 suppliers from around the globe. Among Palm Bay’s most valued assets is its remarkable network of long-term partnerships with the foremost wholesale companies in all 50 states, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. With the crucial collaboration of these partners, Palm Bay’s portfolio is able to meet the needs of every level of the industry, from independent restaurants and retail stores, to chain accounts, supermarkets, hotels, airlines, cruise ships, duty-free accounts and U.S. military bases. This impressive roster of brands, accounts and relationships positions Palm Bay as a major source of fine wines and spirits and an industry leader in the U.S. marketplace. For more visit: www.palmbay.com.