Le Cache Contemp 1400 Chocolate #1042

For a collector whose wines deserve better than a closet conversion or an undercounter cooler, the Le Cache Contemporary 1400 in Chocolate Cherry is a serious, freestanding aging cabinet sized for real-life spaces. At 31 inches wide and 72 inches tall, it holds 172 bottles — 160 in individual racked slots wide enough for oversized Burgundy and Rhône bottles — while the CellarPro cooling system actively manages both temperature and humidity, the two conditions that actually determine whether a wine ages gracefully or deteriorates. This is a meaningful distinction: wine coolers and refrigerators hold temperature but ignore humidity, making them unsuitable for anything you plan to keep longer than a few months.

The Chocolate Cherry finish is a deep, furniture-grade veneer that reads as a built-in piece rather than an appliance — it integrates into a dining room, a study or a finished basement without announcing itself. The double-pane tinted glass and foil-backed polyisocyanurate insulation provide genuine thermal and UV protection, not just a viewing window. SB/0 technology means the cabinet can sit flush against a wall, which matters in the kind of compact, well-appointed rooms this unit is designed for. The CellarPro unit exhausts through the top, is built in the USA and carries a five-year warranty — a longer coverage period than most competing cooling systems offer.

Best For

• Storing 100–170 bottles of age-worthy Bordeaux, Napa Cabernet or Burgundy in a dining room, apartment or second home without a dedicated cellar
• Collectors who need active humidity control to protect natural corks during multi-year aging, not just a chilled holding space
• Tight footprint situations — a 31-inch width and flush-wall placement capability where a full-sized cellar cabinet would not fit
• Fitting a purpose-built aging cabinet into a room with existing dark wood millwork or contemporary furniture without a visual mismatch

• CellarPro cooling unit options: Choose between the 1800QT-HE and 1800XT-HE based on the room's thermal load. The 1800QT-HE is the quietest option. Review the Cooling Unit Selection Guide before ordering.
• Adjustable humidity control: Active humidity management is what separates this cabinet from wine coolers and refrigerators. Precise humidity prevents premature cork drying and label damage during long-term aging.
• SB/0 Technology with top-vent exhaust: Top-mounted exhaust means the cabinet can be placed flush against a wall with zero rear clearance, which matters for alcove or tight dining room placements where a rear-venting unit simply won't fit.
• Foil-backed polyisocyanurate insulation: A closed-cell rigid foam with higher R-value per inch than standard EPS foam. Combined with sealed seams and double-pane tinted glass, it reduces thermal load on the cooling unit and buffers against ambient temperature swings.
• Universal all-wood interlocking racks: 3 3/4-inch slots handle oversized bottles (Burgundy, Champagne and heavy Napa bottles) without modification. Double-deep configuration fits 160 racked bottles plus bulk space for approximately 12 more in a 31" x 29" x 72" footprint.
• Optional bottle probe: Monitors actual wine temperature rather than cabinet air temperature - a meaningful distinction for cellaring wine near its target aging temperature rather than relying on ambient sensor readings.
• Electronic thermostat with digital display and high-performance air filtration system
• Stainless bar pull with security lock, low-heat interior LED lighting and cherry wood veneer with hardwood door and furniture trim
• Warranty: 5 years on the cooling system and 2 years on the full cabinet; optional extended warranty available for longer coverage.

Brand: Le Cache

UPC: 077757010422

Size: 31w x 29d x 72h (in)

Weight: 320 lbs

Capacity: 172 bottles
Double-Deep Storage
Racked Slots: 160 bottles (3 3/4-inch Slots)
Bulk Space: approximately 12 bottles (stacked)

Material: Cherry

Power/Rating:
115V AC / 60 Hz
Running / Startup Amps (compressor)
- CellarPro 1800QT-HE: 2.9 Amps / 20.1 Amps
- CellarPro 1800XT-HE: 3.0 Amps / 20.1 Amps
Thermal Load Calculations

Warranty:
2 Years (Cabinet) / 5 Years (Cooling Unit)
Optional Extended Warranty

What These Specs Mean

• Running vs. Startup Amps: Running amps reflect the unit's electrical draw during normal operation. Startup amps reflect the brief increase in current when the compressor starts. Refer to the cooling unit installation instructions for circuit requirements.
• Cooling Unit Options: The CellarPro 1800QT-HE is the quietest available option. Other compatible models provide additional cooling capacity for installations with higher thermal loads. Use the Cooling Unit Selection Guide to identify the correct model for the installation conditions.
• Double-Deep Storage: Bottles are racked two rows deep per slot, maximizing capacity within the cabinet footprint but requiring partial unloading to access bottles stored in the rear row.

Resources

• Owner's Manual
• Cooling Unit Selection Guide
• Placement Requirements
• Wine Cabinet Delivery & Inspection Instructions
• Wine Cabinet Filter: Top View
• Top View
• Adjustable Humidity Performance Chart
• Wine Cabinet Monthly Operating Cost
• Cooling Unit Sound Performance
• Interactive Product Demo
• Watch Product Video

PLACEMENT & VENTILATION

Before choosing a location for your Le Cache wine cabinet, make sure the installation meets the following requirements.

BASIC PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Power: Standard grounded outlet on a dedicated circuit
• Room Temperature: 50–95°F
• Floor: Hard, level surface capable of supporting the fully loaded cabinet
• Door Clearance: Allow approximately 1 inch of additional width in front of the cabinet for the doors to open 90°
• Ventilation: Requirements vary depending on the cabinet and cooling configuration

VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS

Proper ventilation is essential. The cooling unit exhausts warm air, which must be able to dissipate without being drawn back into the unit. Poor ventilation can prevent the cabinet from reaching the desired temperature and may cause the cooling unit to overheat or run continuously.

SUMMARY

1. UPRIGHT CABINET / TOP-VENTED

Our upright wine cabinets with top-vented cooling are designed so the cabinet can be placed directly against the rear wall.

Warm air exhausts through the top of the cabinet, while return air enters from above. Sufficient clearance above and around the cabinet is therefore required.

Minimum clearance above the cabinet:

• 18 inches: Contemporary, Carolina, Loft, Vault and Semi-Custom wine cabinets
• 12 inches: European Country, Mission and Gallery wine cabinets

Important: The sides of the cabinet must remain open so that warm air can dissipate. Top-vented upright cabinets should not be placed in a corner, enclosed space, alcove or closet unless a Front-Vent Hood is used.

2. UPRIGHT CABINET / REAR-VENTED

Upright wine cabinets can also be configured with rear-vented cooling, with return air entering from behind the cabinet. This configuration is useful when sufficient clearance above the cabinet is not available.

Requirements:

• The cabinet must be positioned 3–4 inches away from the rear wall.
• If the rear of the cabinet is not accessible, allow at least 7 1/2 inches above the cabinet so the cooling-unit air filter can be removed and replaced.
• If the rear of the cabinet is accessible, allow at least 3 inches above the cabinet for airflow. We also recommend an air deflector to direct warm exhaust air to the left of the cabinet.

Important: The sides of the cabinet must remain open. Rear-vented upright cabinets should not be placed in a corner, enclosed space, alcove or closet unless a Front-Vent Hood is used.

3. UPRIGHT CABINET / TOP-VENTED + FRONT-VENT HOOD

A Front-Vent Hood can be added to a top-vented upright cabinet when:

• The cabinet will be placed flush against the rear wall but does not have the required clearance above for a standard top-vented installation
• The cabinet will be installed in an alcove, closet or other enclosed space

Allow at least 7 1/2 inches above the cabinet for removal of the hood and air filter.

Compatibility:

• Contemporary, Loft and Vault: The Front-Vent Hood may be used with or without the decorative grille.
• European Country, Mission, Carolina and Gallery: The Front-Vent Hood may be used without the decorative grille. The grille will not fit with the crown moldings.

4. CREDENZA

Credenzas do not require clearance above the cabinet; however, because both intake and exhaust ventilation occur behind the cabinet, credenzas require 3–4 inches of clearance behind the cabinet, and the sides must remain open for proper ventilation.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

The cooling unit plugs into a standard grounded wall outlet. The power cord extends approximately 6 1/2 feet from the rear of the cabinet.

The outlet must be on a dedicated circuit. The cooling unit components draw 3 amps, and the electrical outlet on the side of the cooling unit is also rated for 3 amps.

Do not share the circuit with another motor- or compressor-driven appliance such as a refrigerator, wine cooler, air conditioner or garage door opener.

We recommend using a surge protector rated for at least 15 amps to protect the cooling unit from power surges.

If an extension cord is necessary, use a grounded cord with 14-gauge wire or heavier, and keep it as short as possible.

FLOOR & WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS

A fully loaded wine cabinet is extremely heavy. Make sure the floor can support the combined weight of the cabinet and wine.

The cabinet should also be placed on a hard, level surface. On thick carpeting, the cabinet may settle unevenly over time, which can affect door alignment.

If installing on thick carpet, place a carpet board beneath the cabinet. You may purchase one from Le Cache or have a local hardware store cut a 3/4-inch plywood board to the width x depth of the cabinet.

DOOR SWING CLEARANCE

When opened to 90 degrees, the doors extend approximately 1 inch beyond the width of the cabinet.

For cabinets without moldings, allow for this additional space when planning the installation. The extra clearance is required in front of the cabinet for the doors to open fully.

Can the Le Cache 1400 be placed flush against a wall, or does it need clearance behind it?

A: The 1400 uses Le Cache’s SB/0 (flush-to-wall) technology combined with a top-vent exhaust, meaning no rear clearance is required. Heat exits through the top of the cabinet, so it can sit directly against a wall. This makes it well-suited for apartments, finished basements or any space where freestanding placement against a wall is the only option.

Will the racking actually fit oversized Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne bottles?

A: Yes. The all-wood interlock racks feature 3.8-inch slots and are described as universal racking designed to accommodate oversized bottles. The cabinet holds 160 bottles in racked slots plus approximately 12 bottles in bulk stacked storage, for a total of 172 bottles. If your collection skews toward larger-format Burgundy or Champagne bottles, plan capacity conservatively since those formats displace more than one standard slot.

What are the electrical requirements, and do I need a dedicated circuit?

A: The cabinet runs on 115V AC / 60 Hz standard household current. Startup amp draw depends on which CellarPro cooling unit is selected: the 1800QTL-ECX pulls 14.2 startup amps, while both the 1800QT-ECX and 1800XT-ECX reach 20.1 startup amps. Running amps are modest (2.4–3.0A), but the startup spike means a dedicated 20-amp circuit is strongly recommended, particularly for the QT and XT variants, to avoid tripping shared breakers.

Does this cabinet actively control humidity, or just temperature?

A: Unlike wine coolers or standard refrigerators, the 1400 includes active, adjustable humidity control through the CellarPro cooling unit. This is a critical distinction for long-term aging: sustained low humidity dries out corks and accelerates oxidation. The cabinet also uses foil-backed polyisocyanurate insulation and sealed seams to limit moisture exchange with the ambient environment, helping maintain stable cellar-level humidity year-round.

What warranty does the Le Cache 1400 carry, and what does each part cover?

A: The cabinet comes with a 2-year warranty covering the full cabinet and a separate 5-year warranty covering the CellarPro cooling unit. An optional extended warranty is also available for purchase. The cooling unit warranty is notably longer than most competitors’ compressor coverage, which reflects the fact that the CellarPro units are manufactured in the USA and designed specifically for wine storage environments rather than adapted from general refrigeration components.

What does the insulation and glass construction actually do for wine aging versus a standard wine cooler?

A: The 1400 uses foil-backed polyisocyanurate insulation throughout the cabinet body — a higher-performance closed-cell foam compared to the fiberglass or minimal insulation found in most wine coolers. The door features double-pane tinted glass that reduces both thermal transfer and UV exposure. Together these reduce the thermal load on the cooling unit, produce more stable internal temperatures during ambient swings and protect wine from light degradation. A standard wine cooler or refrigerator does none of this at the same level, which is why Le Cache specifically positions these cabinets as suitable for long-term aging rather than short-term chilling.