At the table with Legado Carmenère 2022
Roast lamb with herbs, glazed pork ribs, grilled rib of beef, beef tacos, pulled pork, chili con carne.
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Legado Carmenère 2022De Martino
Legado Carmenère comes from the Santa Inés vineyard, in the Maipo Valley, De Martino's historic birthplace in Isla de Maipo, south of Santiago. It was in this vineyard that the first Carmenère in Chile was identified. The vines, planted at around 340 metres above sea level on gravelly soils, enjoy a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, cooled at night by breezes coming down from the Andes.
The estate favours farming without chemical inputs and lets the site express itself. After harvest and fermentation, the Carmenère is aged for ten months: 70% in old French oak barrels and 30% in large oak vats (foudres). This choice of old, large-volume vessels limits the oak influence and preserves the freshness of the fruit.
This wine reveals notes of blueberry, plum, blackberry, black pepper, red pepper, cocoa, cinnamon and clove. The deep purple colour heralds a palate with a velvety texture and ripe, fine tannins, supported by lively acidity and extended by a long, refreshing finish.
Where are we traveling?
Maipo ValleyChile
It is located at the gates of Santiago, the Chilean capital, stretching from the southern suburbs of the city to the foothills of the Andes to the east and the coastal range to the west. The vineyard is divided into three distinct zones — Alto Maipo at altitude at the foot of the Andes, Maipo Central on the alluvial plains, and Maipo Costa open to Pacific influences — forming a gradient of remarkably diverse terroirs over barely 100 kilometers. Its viticultural history dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors planted the first vines, but it was in the mid-19th century that Maipo took off, when great Chilean families — the Concha y Toro, the Cousiño, the Errázuriz — brought Bordeaux vines and French oenologists to establish the estates that would forge the country's viticultural reputation. Chile's geographical isolation, protected by the Andes, the Pacific, and the Atacama Desert, spared the vineyards from phylloxera, and Maipo today preserves some of the New World's oldest ungrafted vines. The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean, hot and sunny in summer, cooled by cold winds descending from the Andes each evening and by morning mists from the ocean, offering ideal thermal amplitudes for slow and steady maturation. The soils range from stony alluvial deposits carried from the Andes to the calcareous clays of the lower sectors, as well as the granitic and volcanic rocks of Alto Maipo. Maipo Valley has established itself as the cradle and absolute benchmark of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, producing powerful, structured wines with an elegance that rivals the best Bordeaux, complemented by silky and spicy Carménère — a Bordeaux grape variety that disappeared in France and was rediscovered here — deep Syrahs, and ambitious blends that have placed Chile on the map of the world's greatest wines.
The little history of the country
Chile
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.
All about Legado Carmenère 2022
At what temperature should Legado Carmenère 2022 be served?
Between 16 and 18 °C. An hour in a decanter helps it open up.
How long can Legado Carmenère 2022 be kept?
Ageing potential: 1 to 5 years, until around 2027. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Legado Carmenère 2022?
Grapes: 100% Carmenère. Origin: Central Valley, Chile. Alcohol: 13.5%.
What to serve with Legado Carmenère 2022?
Legado Carmenère 2022 pairs well with lamb, beef and white meat. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.