Winemaker Reserve
The vintage
2018 offered optimal weather conditions. The season started with average rainfall in winter and spring, which provided favorable conditions for bud break and fruit onset. Minimum temperatures were mild throughout the season, and luckily we didn’t suffer any frost episode. The main characteristic of the summer was that temperatures remained slightly below average, which allowed grapes to ripen slowly. This factor, combined with a great after season with no precipitations, was determining for the harvest timing that started rather late once the grapes had developed fully and reached optimal phenolic ripeness.
Location
Stretching from the Coastal range to the foothills of the Andes mountains, Colchagua’s Mediterranean climate and privileged terroirs have made it a place of choice to produce quality wines in Chile. Los Vascos estate lies at the foothills of the coastal range, 200km South West of Santiago, in the cooler part of Colchagua where the vines benefit from the natural cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean.
Terroir
The cabernet sauvignon for the Grande Reserve is sourced from selected plots planted on the foothills of the mountains, as well as some of the older vines from the best plots in the heart of the estate.
Winemaking
This fine wine is made with the same care as our Bordeaux Grand Crus. Grapes are closely monitored when reaching maturity in order to find the optimal balance between phenolic ripenes and acidity. After careful sorting and desteming, grapes are placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pump-over ensure a gentle extraction of the tannins. After malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine is transfered into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months.
Tasting
Intense ruby-red colour with glints of garnet.
Initially the nose presents scents of fresh strawberry, red cherry, gooseberry and blue flowers. Then subtle notes of bay, tobacco, caramel and graphite emerge. On the palate, the wine is generous with soft yet lively tannins, leading into a long, lingering finish.
Alcohol content
14.5
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 85 %
Syrah
: 10 %
Carménère
: 5 %