Le Dix
The vintage
The season started with a normal winter, with around 400 mm of rain and no sub-zero temperatures. Hot weather in the early spring offered a taste of what was to come in the summer, i.e. high temperatures and an absence of frost. The summer saw record highs of 39.6ºC in February and 39.2ºC in March.
Due to the high temperatures, the harvest started a week earlier than usual, on April 23, and was completed in three days.
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
Le Dix is predominantly made from an old plot of Cabernet Sauvignon called El Fraile, which means the Monk. Nestled at the heart of the vineyard, the vines are planted at high density and produce high quality grapes of remarkable concentration. Selected Syrah and Carmenère are blended in to add complexity to the wine.
Winemaking
Le Dix is made with the utmost care, just like the Bordeaux Grands Crus. Grapes are carefully selected and hand harvested. After desteming, they are placed in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation. During maceration gentle pump- over are performed when necessary for a gentle extraction of the tannins and colouring compounds. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in tanks, then the wine is transferred into French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac (50% new oak) for a period of 18 months. This wine will reveal its complexity with further bottle ageing. Cellar in good conditions for up to ten years or more.
Tasting
Le Dix 2015 has a beautiful ruby red color. Gorgeous aromas of raspberry and ripe cherry intermingle with notes of black pepper, cocoa, walnut skin, graphite, tobacco, and cedar.
On the palate, this magnificently balanced wine presents a harmonious structure, with refined tannins. A truly elegant offering.
Alcohol content
14.5
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 85 %
Carménère
: 10 %
Syrah
: 5 %