05/03/2026 - NEW 2022 Don Maximiano - ‘A very complete wine, immediately alluring’ - 96 points, Decanter.

There is no doubting Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve is on a roll - Matthew Luczy from the Wine Advocate notes in his recent review that he was ‘impressed by the new release from Errázuriz’, saying it is in very ‘capable hands’ with Technical Director Emily Faulconer now at the helm and its future trajectory and ‘fresh perspective’ have been cemented. Born from one of South America’s most historic and iconic wineries, with roots dating back to the 1870s, Don Max is, according to critics’ recent findings, leading the charge and fast becoming one of the most recognised, stylish, and contemporary wines in Chile. Amanda Barnes MW – Author of The South America Wine Guide agrees, ‘Don Maximiano remains one of Chile’s great hidden gems, consistently overdelivering in complexity and character at its price point, yet retaining an effortless drinkability’.
 
This modern icon is turning the heads of sophisticated drinkers worldwide, drawn to its evocative Bordeaux blend and its ability to retain a strong price position of just £32.50 IB per bottle; the family ensuring this outstanding vintage is a compelling offering. 2022 was an exceptional year for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, reflected in a slight increase in their proportion within the blend. Decanter awards a huge 96 points calling it, ‘A very complete wine, immediately alluring’. With 65% new oak and 18 months in barrel, the refined use of wood has enhanced the wine’s effortless beauty. Both The Wine Advocate and Vinous awarded the 2022 vintage a firm 94 points — one of its highest scores to date. 
 
"Having tasted the wine last night i can concur - this is a superb wine, that is both delicious now, and has excellent potential for future ageing. Combining ripe juicy berry fruit, with elegant spice and delicate floral aromas. A distinct pepperiness shows on the palate, with espresso, dark chocolate and earth alongside ripe red and black fruits. The style has a nod to Bordeaux, but there is an extra richness mid-palate, it's more powerful than the 2021, with a fleshiness that shows the warmth of the vintage, but the alcohol is relatively low and the wine is fresh and elegant, with soft, silky tannins and a long finish." (ESD)

“A lovely, floral, red-fruited nose that gains woody, graphite notes with further aeration. It is rich and broad on the palate, showcasing more power and tenacity… It finishes with a long, layered, precise conclusion framed by impeccably fine tannins and beautiful delineation.” Wine Advocate 
 
The Don Maximiano vineyards are located in the Aconcagua Valley, around 100km north of Santiago, and the oldest among them are the Max I, Max II and Max V blocks. The region has a long dry season with moderately warm summer days cooled by the soft evening breezes that enter the valley from the Pacific Ocean. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere vines were planted in 1978 and 1993, respectively, while the Petit Verdot was planted in 1999. The three vineyard blocks that contribute grapes for Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve are planted on north or northeast facing hillsides with 5°–25° of slope. Soils are volcanic, colluvial and piedmont (Max I and II) or alluvial (Max V) in origin, with good drainage conferring low to moderate vigour. The colluvial and volcanic rocky soils of Max I show high presence of mica with clay-silt texture. Max II has deep colluvial soils of volcanic origin, with loam to sandy-loam texture, and both have 30–40% stone content. Max V has deep gravelly alluvial soils with 50% stone content and excellent drainage.

Errazuriz Don Maximiano 2022

£195 In Bond per 6x75cl

‘This is so fresh, with flowers, sliced citrus skin, light spearmint and blackberries. Lemon blossom undertones. Medium-bodied with very punchy tannins that are refined and tight, with a crunchy and intense finish. So much energy here. A blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 17% malbec, 11% petit verdot and 9% carmenete. Drink after 2027.’ 
97 points, James Suckling, March 2024
 
‘Every bit as good as the 2021 release, this shows little evidence of the heat of the vintage.  Cabernet Sauvignon takes the lead here, complemented by 17% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot and 9% Carmenère. Adroitly aged in 65% new wood, it's grassy, floral and intense, with stylish coffee bean oak, touches of mint and potpourri, bramble and blackcurrant flavours, fine-grained tannins and the concentration to age in bottle. 2027 - 2035’
96 points, Tim Atkin, April 2025

‘A very complete wine, immediately alluring, that harmoniously blends 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot and 9% Carménère. A juicy core of Maraschino cherries, pomegranate and ripe raspberries is sprinkled abundantly with nutmeg, cardamom and allspice. Mellifluous tannins coated in graphite and cocoa powder carry the mid palate and prelude the long finish that lingers with a refreshing tail of tomato leaf and freshly cut parsley. Drinking beautifully now but deserving of some time in bottle to allow all its layers to be woven into something even more complex”
Drink 2026 – 2040
96 points, Ines Salpico, Decanter,19 Feb 2026
 
‘The 2022 Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve opens with a lovely, floral, red-fruited nose that gains woody, graphite notes with further aeration. It is rich and broad on the palate, showcasing more power and tenacity than the refined and understated 2021 vintage I tasted alongside it. It finishes with a long, layered, precise conclusion framed by impeccably fine tannins and beautiful delineation. The blend here is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot and 9% Carménère, aged 18 months in 65% new French oak.”
Drink 2025 – 2032
94+ points, Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate, March 2025 
 
‘The 2022 Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve originates from the Aconcagua Andes and comprises 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot and 9% Carménère. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, with 65% being new, this deep garnet-hued wine reveals aromas of currant, cherry and plum, complemented by notes of pepper, camphor and violet. On the palate, it is dry and juicy, with a bold and rich mouthfeel that lingers on the fruity notes. This wine epitomizes the high expression of continental reds.”
Drink 2024 – 2034
94 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, July 2024
 
‘Bramble, boysenberry and sweet black cherry reflect the glossier fruit and warmth of the 2022 vintage, yet vibrant acidity keeps everything in check and the overall impression is more savoury than sweet with the mineral, sanguine edge that has become a hallmark of contemporary Don Max. Full-bodied and concentrated, with supple, rounded tannins, the palate carries enticing notes of dark chocolate and coffee bean, while a delicate lift of perfume laces the finish’.
Amanda Barnes MW – Author of The South America Wine Guide. Feb 2026 

Vintage Report:  
Chile’s valleys, with their distinct microclimates and unique soil compositions, experienced the 2022 harvest differently. For Panquehue in the Aconcagua Valley, it was an exceptional vintage. All the varietals enjoyed a year of perfect health, with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot vines truly excelling in the excellent conditions.

Following on from 2021, 2022 delivered another very dry year — one of the driest in the past 100 years. The season saw an average to warm spring, ideal for flowering and fruit set, followed by a cooler-than-average summer that allowed for long, slow hang time and perfect ripening. The lack of water and low humidity accelerated ripening, much like in hotter years, while also resulting in lower yields.

These conditions produced outstanding fruit with preserved acidity, flavour concentration and colour. They also delivered greater structure, texture, and richness, leading to slightly more powerful wines than 2021. Yet the beautiful charm, juiciness, and freshness-driven elegance remain firmly in focus.