Manos Negras Sauvignon Blanc 2013
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Manos Negras focuses on latitude winemaking. Argentina and Chile's winemaking regions stretch 1,500 miles north to south along the Andes. Each latitude possesses a unique terroir with singular combinations of soil and temperature which are ideally suited for different varietals. Manos Negras uses the unique skills of three immigrants to Argentina-New Zealand winemakers Duncan Killiner and Jason Mabbett, and American wine educator Jeff Mausbach- as well as the renown Argentine viticulturist Alejandro Sejanovich to craft wines based on exciting terroir-varietal combinations.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
A region that has become synonymous with some of the best whites of Chile, the Casablanca Valley is full of dozens of bodegas who either grow fruit here or come from outside to source from local growers for their own white wine programs. The valley runs from east to west, which means that its westernmost vineyards receive the most cooling influence from the reliable afternoon sea breezes. The soils also tend to be heavier in clay in the west, whereas the eastern end of the valley is warmer and its soils are predominantly granitic. Sauvignon blanc thrives here, Chardonnay does well and Pinot noir is not uncommon.