Viu 8 Cuvée Infinito 2018

Located in the Colchagua Valley, in the heart of Chile's Central Valley wine region, the Viu Manent vineyard benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by the influence of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. The plots dedicated to the Viu 8 Cuvée Infinito are primarily situated around San Carlos de Cunaco, on alluvial and deep clay soils, offering excellent drainage and varietal expression. This mosaic of terroirs allows for the production of concentrated grapes, combining phenolic ripeness, natural freshness, and great finesse.

The grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and then fermented in stainless steel tanks with controlled pump-overs and rackings, followed by post-fermentation maceration. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for approximately 16 to 18 months, primarily in first- and second-use barrels, before final blending and bottling after a period of rest in tanks.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry , black cherry , and blackcurrant , complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet. Spicy nuances of black pepper and licorice are also present, supported by elegant oak with hints of cedar , cocoa , and vanilla . The palate offers a velvety texture, driven by well-integrated acidity, fine yet firm tannins, and a lingering finish that leaves an impression of depth and balance.

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.