85% Merlot, 15% Carmenère. This Merlot comes from Errazuriz vineyards in the Curicó Valley. The winter of 2007, one of Chile’s coldest and driest in 40 years, had innumerable effects on the 2008 vintage. The levels of soil moisture in the spring were significantly lower than in previous years and ultimately resulted in delaying the harvest by 10–14 days. The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed. Alcoholic fermentation took place at 26°– 30°C in stainless steel tanks with 2 pumpovers per day. Up to a third of the wine was aged in 1–3-year-old French and American oak barrels for approximately 6 months. After the final blend was made, the wine was fined and lightly filtered before bottling.
Green pepper and ripe plums on the nose. Textbook Chilean Merlot. Alcohol warmish, but expected. Good.
New vintage, available now, 389 stores, exclusive, screw cap13.5%
14/10/2009

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