El Huique Cabernet
Colchagua Valley Cabernet, poured in Commack for decades.
The story behind El Huique
El Huique takes its name from the historic hacienda in Palmilla, in Chile's Colchagua Valley, an estate tied to the Echenique family and later to Federico Errazuriz Echaurren, who served as President of Chile. Viña El Huique bottles estate wine from its own vineyards in that Mediterranean climate, where warm days and cool nights build dense color and firm tannin into Cabernet Sauvignon.
The house style is traditional and dry: black cherry, red berries, a green olive and mint edge, and resinous oak. The standard bottling keeps the fruit fresh and ripe; the Reserve rests in oak to soften the tannins and add a darker, molasses-like richness. Wine Enthusiast has rated the Reserve 89 points and the estate Cabernet 86.
Explore the El Huique range
Two Cabernets anchor the El Huique lineup here, a fresh estate bottling and an oak-aged Reserve, plus a Carmenere and Chardonnay when they are in stock.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Huique Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL | Cabernet Sauvignon | 13.5% ABV | Black cherry, red berries, olive, mint, firm dry tannin |
| El Huique Cabernet Reserve 750mL | Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve | 14.5% ABV | Violet aroma, oak-aged, softer tannin, molasses richness |
| El Huique Carmenere 750mL | Carmenere | 13.5% to 14% ABV | Dark fruit, green herb, soft round mid-palate |
| El Huique Chardonnay 750mL | Chardonnay | 13.5% ABV | Ripe orchard fruit, moderate oak, clean finish |
| El Huique Cabernet Reserve, decanted | Serving style | 14.5% ABV | 30 minutes open, served 60F to 65F |
| El Huique Cabernet Sauvignon, by the glass | Serving style | 13.5% ABV | Slightly cool, alongside grilled ribeye |
Which El Huique is right for you?
Pricing here stays in value territory, which is much of why this Cabernet has moved steadily for us. The El Huique Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL is $13.99, and the El Huique Cabernet Reserve 750mL is $19.99, a five dollar step up for oak aging and a fuller frame. The Carmenere lists at $14.98 and the Chardonnay at $16.98 when they are on the shelf. For a weeknight steak wine, the estate bottling is the honest buy; for lamb or a decanted dinner pour, spend the extra on the Reserve.
$13.99, firm tannin that cuts through a grilled ribeye without fuss.
Oak-aged, 89 points, decant 30 minutes and pour with roasted lamb.
$14.98, softer and herbier than the Cabernet, an easy next bottle.