Winemaker Notes
Enclave is deep, dark red in color. The nose reveals red fruit such as plums and cherries, a touch of cassis, white pepper, damp earth and a hint of black fruit. It has an intriguing aromatic complexity. Elegant and well-structured on the palate with firm, yet silky tannins. Persistent in the finish. This blend has layers of flavours. The firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot intermingle with the softness and complexity of Carménère and the elegance of Cabernet Franc. Its blend means that Enclave can be cellared for 10 to 15 years.
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.
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.