2019 MAQUIS LIEN COLCHAGUA VALLEY RED Viña Maquis is one of the oldest wineries in Chile's Colchagua Valley, with its origins dating back to the 18th century when Jesuit priests began cultivating grapes in the region. In 1916, the esteemed Hurtado family took stewardship of the estate, marking the onset of a lineage spanning four generations of dedicated winemaking. They built a new winery in 2002, featuring state-of-the-art equipment that blends modern technology with traditional practices. This harmonious combination ensures that each vintage realizes the pinnacle of the estate's potential, maintaining the winery's rich heritage while embracing innovation. The Maquis Lien is a sophisticated red blend that utilizes Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon to provide backbone and structure, with Carménère adding an elegant touch of softness and spice. This meticulously crafted blend reflects the winemaking team's expertise and their commitment to highlighting the unique terroir of the Colchagua Valley. The harmonious interplay of these varietals results in a wine that is both complex and balanced, offering a rich tapestry of flavors that captivate the palate. The 2019 release of Maquis Lien showcases a balanced composition, boasting 46% Cabernet Franc, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Carménère. Aged to perfection for 18 months in carefully selected barrels, this vintage has garnered a steady stream of accolades since its debut. Critics and wine enthusiasts alike have praised its exceptional quality, noting its refined structure and intricate flavor profile. The accolades received by this vintage are a testament to the winery's dedication to excellence and its ability to consistently produce wines that stand out on the global stage. Additional Reviews: "The 2019 Lien, their first wine produced since 2003, was produced with a blend of 46% Cabernet Franc, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Carménère fermented with selected yeasts in stainless steel, and after malolactic, it was transferred to barrel, where it matured for 18 months. It was bottled with 14.5% alcohol, a little riper than the 2018 that I tasted next to it but still with an elegant profile and very fine tannins, balanced, fresh and young, with the ingredients to evolve nicely in bottle." 93 Points "A complex blend that opens with an elegant display of petrichor, fresh raspberry and a hint of amaretto on a silky frame. This red's lively acidity unlocks a second tier of deeper flavors including graphite, crème de cassis and chocolate that linger nicely around fine, loamy tannins. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. Drink now through 2033." 93 Points