“Lota is made with Cabernet Sauvignon (planted in 1932) and Merlot (1981) from the Macul estate. It’s aged in new oak, but it’s not a blockbuster wine. Balsamic, savoury and complex, with Asian spices, smooth tannins, bright fruit and a long, distinguished finish. Every bit as good as some of its near neighbours.” (BORDEAUX BLEND OF THE YEAR SELECTION)
— Tim Atkin, Mar 2018

BEST REDS OF THE YEAR/BEST RED BLENDS OF THE YEAR/BEST VALLEY CHOICE MAIPO ALTO: “Cousiño Macul’s most ambitious red wine, Lota, comes from cabernet vines planted in the 1930s along with merlot planted in the 1980s, and you can still see the vineyards as you travel down Avenida Tobalaba in Santiago. The scenery has certainly changed since the winery began planting the vineyard, which is now encircled by Santiago’s urban sprawl, although they continue to produce great wines. The 2011 Lota comes from a cool year in the valley, and you can sense that immediately through the impact of the herbal notes of the cabernet (75% of the blend, the rest is merlot) that fill the glass with perfume. But there’s much more here. The notes are earthy, the fruit flavors are lightly seasoned with chocolate, and the texture is firm, strong, lively, and tense. It’s a wine for the cellar, and one of the greatest vintages of this Chilean classic.”
— Descorchados, Jun 2018