The Carmenère Incident 2019

Located in the heart of Chile's Colchagua Valley, the vineyards that produce this wine come primarily from the La Capilla estate in the Apalta region, surrounded by hills and influenced by a temperate Mediterranean climate. The soils here are colluvial and granitic, with gentle slopes and natural drainage that promote slow and even ripening of the grapes. Close to the Cordillera de la Costa mountain range, the vineyard benefits from cool nights and breezes that preserve the aromatic freshness and natural balance of the grape variety.

The Carmenère grapes destined for El Incidente are hand-harvested, sorted, and destemmed before undergoing a cold pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in tanks with controlled pump-overs and rackings to extract color and tannins, followed by post-fermentation maceration. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for several months to refine its structure and develop aromatic complexity before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry , black cherry , and ripe plum , complemented by hints of violet and black pepper . Woody nuances of cedar , cocoa , and sweet vanilla mingle with a subtle smoky and mineral dimension. The palate is full-bodied, with fine, polished tannins , supported by fresh acidity and a silky texture, leading to a long, harmonious, and flavorful finish.

It was Hernán Cortés who ordered the cultivation of vines upon the conquest of Mexico in 1524. It gradually spread from Mexico southward, reaching Chile in 1555. During the first three centuries of colonization, only país, a characterless and very productive black grape variety, was cultivated in Chile. It was not until the mid-19th century that noble varieties were introduced: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, mainly. Twenty years later, winemaking was modernized under the impetus of wealthy landowners and French experts who had been forced out of work by phylloxera in Europe. Chile stretches 4,300 kilometers from north to south. It is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, and the Patagonian plains and glaciers to the south. These natural barriers prevented phylloxera from entering the country. Although the country is only 160 kilometers wide, it enjoys ideal conditions for growing grape varieties from warm, intermediate, and cool regions, so much so that it is often described as a vineyard paradise. With nearly 300 estates producing bottled wines, Chile ranks between 6th and 8th in the world.