90% Merlot, 10% Carmenère. Grapes from the Max I and IV trellised vineyards in Aconcagua, featuring French clone 181, and 346 grafted onto Cabernet rootstocks. Soils are low-vigour granite and clay/loams. Grapes are hand-picked, sorted and gently crushed, 70% cold-macerated. Traditional 26-28°C fermentation, with 3 pumpovers. All lots aged 12 months in French (75%) and American (25%) oak barrels, 48% new.
Popcorn and vanilla on the nose with very ripe fruit. Perfect Chilean Merlot. Refreshingly green and stalky but ripe and with weight. Yum
Alc 14.5%, TA 5.19g/l, pH 3.62. Available from Wine Direct and 40 branches.
15/10/2008