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Rock-solid, with a juicy core of raspberry and boysenberry fruit laced with briar, sweet spice and toast notes. Fruit pumps out nicely on the finish. Drink now. 9,083 cases made. –JM
88 points - Wine Spectator
Appellation: Apalta Vineyards, Colchagua Valley.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot.
Apalta Vineyards, Colchagua Valley.
Hand-harvested beginning of April in small 12-15 kilos baskets. Coming from non irrigated 60 years old vines. The season was quite normal but late summer temperatures were cooler and resulted in a growing season that was drier and colder than the past seven years. There was no rainfall during harvest; but due to the cooler temperatures throughout, the primary challenge of the 2008 vintage was the extended hang-time in order for each variety to reach proper phenolic maturity. This extension of the season conserved the fruit and allowed for good concentration with soft, well-rounded tannins. Cold nights at the beginning of April preserved the natural fruit acidity and lively expression. On the other hand, we were lucky that conditions remained stable and a dry autumn allowed us to wait patiently to harvest ripe fruits at the level of maturity we were looking for.
• Strict quality control of the grape clusters using long sorting tables before and after the destemmer.
• Cold skin contact maceration for 5 days at 10°C.
• Must was fermented in stainless steel tanks 12 days at 26-28°C with native yeast, followed by a 2 weeks post-fermentation maceration. • The wine was aged in French oak Bordeaux barrels for 10 months, 32 % new and one year old barrels and 68% second year used.
NOSE: Intense black fruit aromas, blackcurrant, and cassis combined with light touches of cider, tobacco and Herbs de Provence. Sweet spices return at the fi nish to add complexity.
MOUTH: Soft tannins with a fi rm body. Well balanced structure, good acidity and long finish.
SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING: Ready to drink now or cellar for several years. Decant and serve at 16-18°. Ideal companion for meats and elaborate dishes.
88 points - Wine Spectator
Appellation: Apalta Vineyards, Colchagua Valley.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot.
Apalta Vineyards, Colchagua Valley.
Hand-harvested beginning of April in small 12-15 kilos baskets. Coming from non irrigated 60 years old vines. The season was quite normal but late summer temperatures were cooler and resulted in a growing season that was drier and colder than the past seven years. There was no rainfall during harvest; but due to the cooler temperatures throughout, the primary challenge of the 2008 vintage was the extended hang-time in order for each variety to reach proper phenolic maturity. This extension of the season conserved the fruit and allowed for good concentration with soft, well-rounded tannins. Cold nights at the beginning of April preserved the natural fruit acidity and lively expression. On the other hand, we were lucky that conditions remained stable and a dry autumn allowed us to wait patiently to harvest ripe fruits at the level of maturity we were looking for.
• Strict quality control of the grape clusters using long sorting tables before and after the destemmer.
• Cold skin contact maceration for 5 days at 10°C.
• Must was fermented in stainless steel tanks 12 days at 26-28°C with native yeast, followed by a 2 weeks post-fermentation maceration. • The wine was aged in French oak Bordeaux barrels for 10 months, 32 % new and one year old barrels and 68% second year used.
NOSE: Intense black fruit aromas, blackcurrant, and cassis combined with light touches of cider, tobacco and Herbs de Provence. Sweet spices return at the fi nish to add complexity.
MOUTH: Soft tannins with a fi rm body. Well balanced structure, good acidity and long finish.
SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING: Ready to drink now or cellar for several years. Decant and serve at 16-18°. Ideal companion for meats and elaborate dishes.