Gran Reserva Carmenère 2022

Located in the Colchagua Valley, in the heart of Chile's Central Valley wine region, the vineyards for this cuvée flourish around the municipality of Santa Cruz, on well-drained alluvial and colluvial soils. The temperate Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm days, cool nights, and the refreshing influence of the Andes Mountains, promotes a slow and even ripening of the Carmenère grapes. These natural conditions result in concentrated, ripe, and balanced grapes that fully express the character of this Colchagua terroir.

The grapes are harvested by hand, with meticulous sorting of the berries before being placed in the vats. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with regular pump-overs to extract color and tannins while preserving the fruit. Post-fermentation maceration is adjusted based on tastings of each batch. The wine is then aged in French and American oak barrels for several months, which imparts structure, aromatic complexity, and integrated oak notes, before the final blending and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black fruit , plum , and black cherry , complemented by hints of violet and black pepper , as well as delicate smoky and toasty accents from barrel aging. On the palate, it is full-bodied and supple, supported by rounded tannins , moderate acidity, and a velvety texture, with a lingering finish where sweet spices and a subtle oak influence return.

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.