Undurraga Candelabro Itata Reserva Cinsault

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30 December 2025

This was an affordable pick I first discovered at The Wine Society’s Autumn press tasting and felt drawn to revisit. It’s named after the Candelabro cactus, a striking plant found in the protected Natural Monument Quebrada de Cardones, in Chile. Viña Undurraga support this conservation area through this wine.

The wine comes from the Itata Valley, deep in the south of Chile, a region known for its dry-farmed old bush vines. These are unirrigated plantings of 100% Cinsault, rooted since the 1950s and 60s in the rugged terrain of Itata. There’s no oak involved in its making, allowing the fruit to speak for itself. The 2024 vintage comes in at 13.5% abv.

Aromatically it’s very bright and floral with a whisper of earthiness. The fruit leans towards ripe raspberry with just a touch of sweetness, balanced by a gentle savoury edge. Tannins are soft and unobtrusive.

It offers a fresher, lighter take on Chilean red wine than many might expect, and at only £8.95 from The Wine Society, it’s excellent value for something with such charm.

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