VSE Classic Merlot 2022

This Merlot comes from the In Situ vineyards, located in the Aconcagua Valley, Chile. The estate sits at an altitude of approximately 850 meters , on soils that blend clay, sand, and rock, with a strong oceanic influence tempered by the altitude. The semi-arid climate, cooled by cool nights, ensures excellent temperature variation, favorable to slow and gradual ripening. These unique geographical conditions allow the Merlot grape to develop both richness and freshness, while reflecting the identity of the Aconcagua terroir.

The winemaking process begins with hand-harvesting at optimal ripeness, without the fruit being overripe. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures to preserve purity and fruitiness. The wine is then aged for several months in the same tanks.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe red fruits , raspberry , aromatic herbs , and white pepper. On the palate, it is smooth with supple tannins that coat the palate and a pleasant, seductive finish.

It was Hernán Cortés who ordered, upon the conquest of Mexico, the cultivation of vines in 1524. It gradually extended from Mexico southwards to reach Chile in 1555. During the first 3 centuries of colonization, there was no Cultivated in Chile as país, a black grape variety without character and very productive. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that noble varieties were introduced: mainly cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Twenty years later, winemaking was modernized under the leadership of wealthy owners and French experts who were forced into unemployment by phylloxera in Europe. Chile stretches 4,300 kilometers from north to south. It is wedged between the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, 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 has ideal conditions for growing warm, intermediate and cool grape varieties, so much so that it is often described as a paradise for growing grapes. With nearly 300 properties producing bottled wines, Chile fluctuates between 6th and 8th place in the world.