Winemaker Notes
The 2017 vintage of the MAX Carmenere displays a beautiful cherry red color. On the nose, a subtle note of ripened black fruits compliments aromas of pepper and roasted red pepper, soft and elegant notes of black tea leaves, rosemary and moistened earth. The palate is dominated by its spicy character, all framed by chocolate and roasted coffee bean notes coming from the oak barrels. Very soft, it shows good structure with elegant, fine tannins, accompanied by a refreshing acidity and persistence.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Dark-berry, spice and dried-flower aromas follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish.
Dark, full-bodied and herbaceous with a spicy kick, Carménère found great success with its move to Chile in the mid-19th century. However, the variety went a bit undercover until 1994 when many plantings previously thought to be Merlot, were profiled as Carménère. Somm Secret— Carménère is both a progeny and a great-grandchild of the similarly flavored Cabernet Franc.
The Aconcagua River runs east from the charming costal town of Valparaiso and bisects the land creating the valley after which it was named. While alluvial soils predominate the Aconcagua Valey along its river throughout, its east-west flow creates drastically different conditions on each of its ends. Its western, seaside vineyards, with clay and stony soils upon gently rolling hills, produce cool-climate varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its inner region is one of Chile’s hottest and produces some of its best red wines. Panquehue in the inner Aconcagua is the site of Chile’s first Syrah vines, planted in 1993.