Unico Luis Miguel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
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"I've always admired and respected the artistry and passion that goes into crafting a great wine," said Luis Miguel. "When I set out to create ÚNICO Luis Miguel, it was important to me to find a partner that shared my vision. Viña Ventisquero is the perfect choice because of its progressive approach to winemaking and extraordinary vineyards. It has been great working alongside such a well respected winemaker as Aurelio and I'm excited about the tremendous wine that we've created."
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah
An intense cherry-red in color with hints of blue; complex aromas of ripe raspberries and black currant are uniquely complemented by black pepper spices, cedar and tobacco notes. Expressive and full on the palate with a balanced body and distinctively ripe, round tannins that linger on the long, chocolate finish.
The first vintage was released in both Chile and Mexico and sold out almost immediately. The sales reflected the vast appeal of Luis Miguel and reinforced that consumers find Unico to be an outstanding value. "When you taste Unico you'll realize our efforts have paid off immensely," says Luis Miguel. "It is a complex, seductive wine that is truly delicious."
The Gran Reserva Cabernet originates in the coastal zone of the Maipo Valley, a region renowned for producing elegant, high quality wines. The grapes were hand selected to create an inviting, velvety and rich Cabernet Sauvignon.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Dramatic geographic and climatic changes from west to east make Chile an exciting frontier for wines of all styles. Chile’s entire western border is Pacific coastline, its center is composed of warm valleys and on its eastern border, are the soaring Andes Mountains.
Chile’s central valleys, sheltered by the costal ranges, and in some parts climbing the eastern slopes of the Andes, remain relatively warm and dry. The conditions are ideal for producing concentrated, full-bodied, aromatic reds rich in black and red fruits. The eponymous Aconcagua Valley—hot and dry—is home to intense red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
The Maipo, Rapel, Curicó and Maule Valleys specialize in Cabernet and Bordeaux Blends as well as Carmenère, Chile’s unofficial signature grape.
Chilly breezes from the Antarctic Humboldt Current allow the coastal regions of Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley to focus on the cool climate loving varieties, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Chile’s Coquimbo region in the far north, containing the Elqui and Limari Valleys, historically focused solely on Pisco production. But here the minimal rainfall, intense sunlight and chilly ocean breezes allow success with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The up-and-coming southern regions of Bio Bio and Itata in the south make excellent Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Spanish settlers, Juan Jufre and Diego Garcia de Cáceres, most likely brought Vitis vinifera (Europe’s wine producing vine species) to the Central Valley of Chile sometime in the 1550s. One fun fact about Chile is that its natural geographical borders have allowed it to avoid phylloxera and as a result, vines are often planted on their own rootstock rather than grafted.