Viña Errazuriz, 2009 Single Vineyard Carmenère.

Description: Errazuriz, 2009 Single Vineyard Carmenère.

The grapes for the 2009 Single Vineyard Carmenère come from the Max V vineyard-part of the Max Vineyards in the Valle de Aconcagua. This vineyard was planted in 1992 and trained to vertical shoot position. The region is known for its long, dry growing season, with moderately warm summer days and afternoons influenced by the entrance of gentle breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Carmenère is a variety with high vigour potential, and therefore it is particularly important to reach the right balance between plant vigour and fruit load.

This is a late-ripening variety, and grapes that are not fully ripe at harvest present a high concentration of pyrazines that are expressed in the wine as green bell pepper. Good canopy management is essential to ensure proper ripening and includes leaf plucking 5–6 weeks prior to harvest. This technique allows the sun to penetrate the foliage and reach the fruit zone to aid in the maturation process and prevent herbaceous aromas while also encouraging fresh fruit flavours and aromas.

Winemakers Comments: deep purplish ruby-red in colour, this carmenère Single Vineyard opens with aromas of sweet spice and chocolate that lead the way to black fruits that meld with the variety’s characteristic black pepper notes. Exuberant and intense flavours reveal excellent typicity on the palate with a touch of roasted red pepper, soy sauce, cinnamon, and blackberries complemented by a touch of tobacco and pencil lead. The palate displays very sweet, soft, and ripe tannins with firm acidity that refreshes and guarantees a long life in the bottle.