Winemaker Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Carménère
The vintage
The 2018 season came up with ideal weather conditions. It started with a normal amount of rain, creating a perfect setting for flowering and fruit set. Minimum temperatures never reached extreme levels, so we did not suffer from frosts. The main feature of our 2018 summer was a gentle climate, with heat remaining under average, which translated into a slow maturation. This crucial factor, added to the absence of rain towards the end of the season, was essential for harvesting the fruit at its peak, delivering balanced wines.
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.
Vinification
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
Purple-red color with a flashy garnet hue.
The nose conveys a delicate interaction between black and red fruits -blackberry and ripe strawberries, accompanied by notes of spices such as black pepper and bay leaf. On the palate it has a good structure, and thanks to the silkiness of the Carménère’s tannins it is possible to obtain a surprising smoothness.
Alcohol content
14.5
Grapes
Cabernet sauvignon
: 75 %
Carménère
: 25 %