Single Vineyard La Capilla Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

From the prestigious Viu Manent estate, this wine comes from the La Capilla vineyard, located in the Colchagua Valley in Chile, one of the country's most renowned wine regions. This terroir benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by oceanic influence and Andean breezes, offering ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The soils have varied profiles, blending clay, sand, and gravel, promoting good drainage and even ripening of the grapes. This privileged natural setting allows the character of the grape variety to express itself with precision.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from La Capilla vineyard are harvested at optimal ripeness and then carefully sorted before alcoholic fermentation in tanks, followed by maceration to extract color, aromas, and structure. Malolactic fermentation is carried out to soften the tannins and add roundness. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for several months, which helps refine its texture, add complexity to the aromatic profile, and ensure the oak influence is well integrated before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of blackcurrant , black cherry , and plum , complemented by delicate floral touches and spicy nuances of pepper and licorice. Woody accents of cedar, vanilla, and sweet tobacco add to a subtle mineral dimension. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and structured, with firm yet ripe tannins, well-integrated acidity, and a silky texture that leads to a persistent and harmonious 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.