Winemaker Notes
Impressive deep purplish-red in color. Features outstanding aromas of ripe red and black berries, sweet spices, dark chocolate, and mocha notes. The palate is structured with soft, ample tannins. Acidity from the Petit Verdot lends juiciness and enable excellent and exceptional aging potential. The remarkable finish is elegant and intensely complex.
Highly recommended with red meats, lamb chops with rosemary, pork ribs, and cannelloni.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Such an amazing, floral nose with blackberries, blueberries, violets and other flowers. Full-bodied, yet so balanced and refined with vibrancy and energy. It’s really racy and exciting with a super long, beautiful finish. Tight and super polished. Needs two or three years to open more. Beauty. Drink after 2021.
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Tasting Panel
This blend of Carménère (92%) and Petit Verdot (8%) is a stunning example of Chile’s sophisticated presence on the global wine stage. Powerfully aromatic scents of violets and crushed blueberries give way to a silky entry of dark chocolate, espresso, and sour cherries. A grilled meatiness ensues on the palate against a slate backdrop.
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.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.