Single Vineyard San Carlos Malbec 2019

From the San Carlos vineyard owned by Viu Manent, this wine originates in the Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's most renowned wine regions. The estate is located near the town of Cunaco, in an area where the temperate Mediterranean climate is characterized by significant temperature variations and the cooling influence of the Andes Mountains. The soils are primarily deep alluvial, a blend of sand, silt, and gravel, promoting deep vine root development and a true expression of the Colchagua terroir.

The Malbec grapes from the San Carlos vineyard are hand-harvested, sorted, and destemmed before a cold pre-fermentation maceration. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs for gentle extraction, followed by a post-fermentation maceration whose duration is determined by tasting. The wine is then aged primarily in French oak barrels for approximately 12 months, with a varying proportion of new and used barrels, before final blending and bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black plum , black raspberry , and cherry , complemented by floral touches of violet and rose petals . Spicy accents of black pepper and clove are also present, supported by elegant oak with hints of vanilla and cedar . The palate is ample and concentrated, carried by fine yet present tannins, well-integrated fresh acidity, and a long, flavorful finish that underscores the fruit's ripeness.

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.