Le Dix
The vintage
2006 was a late vintage in Chile in spite of an extremely hot summer. It was followed by cool temperatures during the harvest, which permitted a good staggering during the picking for optimum maturities without an explosion of alcoholic degrees.
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
Le Dix is predominantly made from an old plot of Cabernet Sauvignon called El Fraile, which means the Monk. Nestled at the heart of the vineyard, the vines are planted at high density and produce high quality grapes of remarkable concentration. Selected Syrah and Carmenère are blended in to add complexity to the wine.
Winemaking
Le Dix is made with the utmost care, just like the Bordeaux Grands Crus. Grapes are carefully selected and hand harvested. After desteming, they are placed in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation. During maceration gentle pump- over are performed when necessary for a gentle extraction of the tannins and colouring compounds. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in tanks, then the wine is transferred into French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac (50% new oak) for a period of 18 months. This wine will reveal its complexity with further bottle ageing.
Grapes
Tasting
Le Dix 2006 has a deep garnet color, almost black.
The powerful nose develops aromas of very ripe black fruit and wild cherries complemented by aromas of wax, cedar, laurel, and licorice. The oak is pleasantly integrated with the fruit. This adds to the wine enjoyable aromas of toasted coffee, vanilla, tobacco and cinnamon.
In the mouth, it is round, dense, fresh and fruity. The wine is concentrated, balanced and elegant. It finishes with a strong taste of cherry (kirsch) and a light bitterness of walnut peel typical of great Cabernets.
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