Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesBlack fruit, tomato leaf, graphite and spice. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Fruity and energetic with the right amount of structure. Flavorful finish with length. This is an excellent, dry carmenere. Drink or hold.
Since Viña Tarapacá was founded in 1874 by Don Francisco de Rojas y Salamanca at the foothills of the Andes mountain range, it has crafted elegant, quality wines, becoming one of the most traditional and historical Chilean wineries, as well as a benchmark for viticulture in Chile and over 50 countries.
Viña Tarapacá has achieved important and consistent acknowledgements since 1876 due to its winemaking heritage and experience in pursuit of quality and excellence.
Being part of VSPT Wine Group, it has a strong sense of environmental friendliness, adhering to the highest international quality standards and certifications. VSPT became Green Company of the Year in the 2016 Green Awards -the competition’s maximum prize- as well as being recognized as leader in Renewable Energy Implementation, thanks to its firm commitment to sustainability.
The Maipo Valley is Chile’s most famous wine region. Set in the country’s Central Valley, it is warm and quite dry, often necessitating the use of irrigation. Alluvial soils predominate but are supplemented with loam and clay.
The climate in Maipo is best-suited for ripe, full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon (the region’s most widely planted grape), Merlot, Syrah and Carmenère, a Bordeaux variety that has found a successful home in Chile.
White wines are also produced with great prosperity, especially near the cooler coast, include Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
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.