Deep ruby color; dark cherry, blueberry, plum, blackberry, raspberry, green bell pepper, eucalyptus, bittersweet chocolate, oak, spice on the nose and palate.
Dry; balanced, behaved tannins and acidity. Medium-plus body. Polished, silky in the mouth, especially after some air time in glass or decant. Juicy with endearingly long, spicy finish. Blend of 59% syrah, 25% cabernet sauvignon, 16% carménère. 14.5% ABV
Viña Anakena is a winery in Alto Cachapoal area of the Rapel Valley of Chile. Accolade Wines purchased the operation in 2015. The Anakena name means “bird cave” in the native Rapa Nui culture and is based on the bird-man legend. In the legend, the Tangata manu (bird-man) instructs the Easter Island seagull (Manu tara) to hide its eggs in a secret place—the Anakena. Every year the bravest islanders swam the long distance from Rapa Nui to the islet of Motu Nui in search of the egg. The one who found it and carried it safely back to Rapa Nui was given the title of birdman, or Tangata manu, and bestowed with honour and fortune. A bird-man depiction is predominant on the wine label.
“Ona” is the name of the indigenous people of Pategonia. Anakena uses ancestral engravings and pictographs on its labels to reflect its commitment to Chile’s native cultures and show the world the cultural and artistic legacy of all the pre-columbian people who preceded them.
Accolade Wine is an international wine company headquartered in Reynella, South Australia, with corporate offices in Melbourne. The company is one of the world’s largest wine companies by volume and value. Accolade traces roots to 1853, when founded by Thomas Hardy and Sons. The company has undergone numerous ownership changes over the next 172 years. The Carlyle Group acquired it in 2018, and in 2024 a consortium of investors, including Blain Capital Special Situations and Intermediate Capital Group, took equity ownership of Accolade as part of a recapitalization plan. Amid this ownership churn, Accolade has remained committed to sustainability through its global strategy “Making Every Drop Count.” They emphasize reducing the environmental impact of their operations and promoting sustainable practices across their vineyards and production facilities.
Accolade Wines Anakena Ona Red Blend, Chile 2019 delivers versatility and drinkability in a red wine blend that casual red wine drinkers can enjoy and harder-core red wine slurpers can appreciate for its tastiness, if not for its depth and complexity. Sometimes you want just a simple, good-tasting red with no winery hanky-panky to cover up flaws. This qualifies. Pair with red meat—grilled steak, beef stew; braised lamb shank with mint sauce; pork—pulled pork, pork barbecue; chicken—barbecued or grilled; vegetarian fare—black-bean cheeseburger, roasted vegetables, vegetarian stews and casseroles. Cheese—aged cheddar, gouda, gruyère, manchego, provolone, parmesan, pecorino, asiago, grana padano, gorgonzola, stilton, roquefort, camembert. $18-20