dbHK to host Santa Rita Casa Real vertical masterclass with Sebastian Labbé

Santa Rita will host a masterclass together with the drinks business Hong Kong on 10 November to highlight the winery’s iconic wine, Casa Real, with vintages dating back to 1995.

Hosted by the drinks business editor-in-chief Patrick Schmitt MW and Sebastian Labbé, the recently appointed winemaker of the Chilean winery, the masterclass will showcase six vintages of Casa Real, Santa Rita’s top wine, from 1995 vintage to 2012 vintage.

A single vineyard wine of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the pure Cabernet is made from grapes grown from over 60-year-old vines in Alto Jahuel, Alto Maipo, a region known for crafting elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine’s older vintages, according to the winemaker in an interview with db, drew comparisons with Napa Cabernets and Left Bank Bordeaux wines. At the masterclass, the winemaker will bring along back vintages including 1995 and 1998 for guests to sample.

Commenting on the wine, Labbé said: “I want to keep the character of Casa Real as similar as possible but the wine needs some fine tuning. I love its elegance, purity of fruit, cassis and graphite flavours and fine grain tannins, and how it represents Alto Maipo, but I want to add some viscosity and density to the palate without losing its elegance.”

The six wines that will be showcased at the masterclass are 1995, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2012 vintages of Casa Real.

The masterclass will be held from 4pm to 5.30pm on 10 November (Friday) at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Wanchai. Drinks trade members who would like to attend the event can click here to register.