Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

A hypothetical blend of California Cabernet and fine red Bordeaux, the 2001 Casa Lapostolle adeptly blends ripe fruit with subtle, complex earth tones. Deeply colored and packed with flavor, this is no self-effacing quaff. It is imbued with the enticing scents and flavors of ripe berries, cassis and spice that are nicely accentuated by the use of new oak. Although round and already quite generous, the 2001 Casa Lapostolle will benefit from at least an hour open before serving like most fine, young Bordeaux and Cabernet. We also suggest that you lay down a few bottles of this delicious, medium-bodied Cabernet for a few years, as it possesses all of what it needs to age gracefully and pay handsome dividends. Serve at cool room temperature.

Fire up the grill, and bring on the steaks. The 2001 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon is the ideal accompaniment to what constitutes the Chilean national food beef. Grilled lamb, pork, and burgers provide other fine pairings. And don't worry about a little marinade or spicy condiment doing damage to this fine Cabernet; we have found that the Casa Lapostolle rises to the occasion. The 2001 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs well with most cheeses and pastas, and can be enjoyed on its own as well.

Casa Lapostolle is a collaborative effort of two great families: the Marnier family of Grand Marnier fame and the Rabat family of Chile. Together with her husband, Cyril de Bournet and Don Jose Rabat Gorchs, Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle reigns over one of South America's premier wine estates. In less than a decade, this winery has taken the international wine world by storm, and under the administrative direction of José Rogers this estate's meteoric rise is sure to continue. In creating Casa Lapostolle, the Marnier-Lapostolle family has pursued the same uncompromising approach to quality that made Grand Marnier a household name. The objective at Casa Lapostolle is to consistently create world-class wines by marrying French expertise to the incomparable terroir of Chile. Indeed, the Chilean climate is perfect for the cultivation of the vine, and the soil harbors no phylloxera. In addition, Chile contains a great number of old vines, primarily from French varietals that were brought from France in the 19th century, before the dreaded vine louse devastated the parent stock in Europe. Consequently, many of these old vines continue to thrive in the vineyards of Chile, and all Chilean vines, old and new, grow naturally on their own rootstocks. The result is pure, natural tasting wines that express expert care and ideal growing conditions. Today, Casa Lapostolle comprises more than 750 acres of prime vineyards, located in three distinct growing areas. This estate produces several excellent white wines, along with a coterie of outstanding reds. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate Casa Lapostolle's red wine offerings, with Carmenere (Chile's own unique red varietal) playing only a supporting role. Casa Lapostolle's enviable red wine portfolio includes Cuvée Alexandre and most recently Clos Apalta, as well as the property's excellent regular estate-bottled Cabernet and Merlot offerings.