Wines Maule Valley Garage Wine Co - Las Higueras Vineyard - 2014

Garage Wine Co’s Cuvée Las Higueras Vineyard 2014 is a distinctive red wine hailing from Chile’s historic Maule Valley. This boutique producer is renowned for its focus on small parcels and traditional, hands-on winemaking methods. While the precise grape blend of this cuvée isn’t specified, reds from this part of Maule frequently feature traditional Mediterranean and Bordeaux varieties such as Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, or perhaps Pais and Syrah, lending the wine a profile that combines concentrated fruit with earthy complexity. 2014 was a favourable vintage, marked by moderate temperatures, which often leads to wines with well-balanced structure and notable freshness.

The Maule Valley, one of Chile’s oldest wine-producing regions, is defined by its diverse terroir and climate. The valley benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and a cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean, which helps preserve acidity and lengthens the ripening period. The soils here are largely composed of granitic and alluvial elements, contributing both to the richness and the minerality found in wines from this area. Maule’s long history, dating back to the early days of Chilean viticulture, gives its wines a depth and authenticity rarely matched elsewhere in the country.

Given the likely richness and earthy undertones of this wine, it would pair beautifully with robust dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shank, grilled beef with chimichurri, or traditional Chilean pastel de choclo. Its structure and interplay of fruit and savoury notes would also complement aged cheeses or roast vegetables, particularly those enhanced with smoky or herbal flavours.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this red slightly below room temperature, at around 16-18°C. Decanting for at least 30 minutes before serving will allow the wine to breathe, revealing its layered aromas and integrated tannins. This approach ensures you experience the full complexity and charm of the Las Higueras Vineyard cuvée.