Estate Reserve
The vintage
The season began with an exceptionally warm and dry winter, with few days below zero.
There were two bouts of frost during the winter which damaged some buds and shoots, resulting in natural thinning and therefore lower yields, with better concentration of the grapes. Over the course of the season, temperatures increased constantly, with peaks of up to 37°C . For this Cabernet Sauvignon, the harvest started 19 days earlier compared to 2019 and was completed in 15 days, which implies that the different sectors reached maturity together, making the vintage effect more significant than the influence of each sector.
Location
Stretching from the Coastal range to the foothills of the Andes mountains, Colchagua’s Mediterranean climate and privileged terroirs have made it a place of choice to produce quality wines in Chile. Los Vascos estate lies at the foothills of the coastal range, 200km South West of Santiago, in the cooler part of Colchagua where the vines benefit from the natural cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean.
Terroir
The cabernet sauvignon for the Grande Reserve is sourced from selected plots planted on the foothills of the mountains, as well as some of the older vines from the best plots in the heart of the estate.
Winemaking
This fine wine is made with the same care as our Bordeaux Grand Crus. Grapes are closely monitored when reaching maturity in order to find the optimal balance between phenolic ripenes and acidity. After careful sorting and desteming, grapes are placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pump-over ensure a gentle extraction of the tannins. After malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine is transfered into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months.
Grapes
Tasting
Crystal clear, ruby color with garnet rim.
The nose is expressive with aromas of black cherry, plum and cassis coming to the fore in an intense fruity base. The whole is enhanced by aromas from the barrel ageing, such as cedar and graphite, that generate greater complexity.
The wine is soft on the entry, leading to intense and present tannins, conferring persistence. A Cabernet Sauvignon with character, providing a good reflection of its vintage.