Le Dix
The vintage
The vintage was characterized by very favorable conditions of humidity and temperature, from blooming to the harvest. Vineyard management focused on ensuring low yields and maintaining a controlled irrigation to reach appropriate hydric conditions for the vines.
In order to obtain consistency among the various lots destined to Le Dix, multispectral aerial photography were used in parallel with chemical analyses to monitor maturity and berry tasting. The result clearly reveals the quality potential of the wine and the concentration of the fruit issued from these vineyards.
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 shows a deeply red robe with purple shades. The nose displays ripe and intense red and black fruit aromas with lasting freshness. Ageing in barrels made at Lafite’s cooperage grants the wine nice toasty, vanilla, and cinnamon notes that perfectly combine with blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, and blackberry, with caramel, licorice, black chocolate and assorted peppers. Powerful and complex in the mouth. Strong, full-bodied yet delicate and elegant tannins. An unmistakable invitation to enjoy a round, consistent and prolonged finish.
Alcohol content
14
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 85 %
Carménère
: 10 %
Syrah
: 5 %