Chilean winemaker Eduardo Chadwick has spent 20 years organizing international tastings to consolidate his position as a fine wine producer.
It’s been 20 years since Eduardo Chadwick organized a tasting in Berlin, where his wines outperformed bottles from top estates from Bordeaux and Tuscany, securing the first serious endorsement of the Chilean wine industry.
Chadwick’s ambition didn’t stop there. Between 2004 and 2014, he staged 20 tastings around the world to consolidate his position as a fine wine producer.
The Sena vinyard in Chile. Staging blind tastings have helped it to compete with wines with impeccable credentials and announce Chile’s potential to offer more than just value wines.Supplied
Ninety per cent of the time, one of his flagship cabernet blends ranked in the Top 3.
“I was frustrated that the quality of our wines was not being recognized,” Chadwick explained this week during a 20th anniversary tasting in Toronto. Staging blind tastings to compete with wines with impeccable credentials helped him announce Chile’s potential to offer more than just value wines.
A recent session featured the current releases of Seña, Viñedo Chadwick, Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve and Kai, presented with older versions to show how winemaking styles have evolved over the years. It also displayed the aging potential for these stellar expressions.
Having proven his wines could stand up to the best in the world, Chadwick wants to show they can stand the test of time.
The current vintage of Seña and Vinedo Chadwick are available in Ontario and Quebec as part of spotlight releases with selected older vintages.
Chilean winery Sena's vintages have outperformed bottles from top estates from Bordeaux and Tuscany in the last 20 years, helping to secure the first serious endorsement of the Chilean wine industry.Supplied
Seña 2021 (Chile), $209.95
A blend of cabernet sauvignon with malbec, carmenere and petit verdot, Seña 2021 shows appealing flavour and fragrance that promise to develop in the most satisfying manner. A core of pure cassis and dark fruit with sweet spice and floral accents adds to the appeal of this nicely layered red that’s rounded out with silky tannins and a refreshing, harmonious finish. Drink now-2041. Available at the above price in Ontario, $213.25 in Quebec. Alberta and British Columbia release set later this year.
Seña 2011 (Chile), $239
The 2011 vintage is developing nicely. The riper style shows balance and elegance, with fig and leather notes broadcast as part of an integrated sweet and savoury flavour. Delicious with great texture and length. Drink now-2031. Available at the above price in Ontario, 236.75 in Quebec.
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