Grape Variety: 100% Carmenere

Growing Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Chief Winemaker: Aurelio Montes

TASTING NOTE:
Carmenere the legendary lost grape of Bordeaux / France - was officially recognized by the Chilean Department of Agriculture as a distinct variety in 1998. Today thriving and grown chiefly in the Colchagua Valley - the fruit for this wine has real charm and subtle richness.

Aurelio Montes has always maintained that - "80% of good wine comes from the vineyard and the other 20% from the cellar". So vineyard care is paramount, enabling Montes to produce world-class wines. From the vineyard rows to the cellar, Aurelio's team meticulously studies every variable in the winemaking process. His commitment to method and process is almost obsessive; nothing is left to chance, and this dynamic wine is one of the fine results.

After careful hand harvesting and diligent fermentation - 70% of the final blend had 6 months ageing in French oak barrels for structure and palate development.

In the glass you are greeted by a dark purple-ruby-red colour wine. On the nose you have typical Carmenere characters; with bright aromas of black pepper and mulberry, while in the mouth wild blueberry and blackberry flavours show though, with hints of dark chocolate, black plum and a touch of vanilla and mocha-coffee, accompanied by Carmenere's characteristic spiciness. A very smooth, elegant, velvety and mouth-filling wine with the rounded, soft tannins distinctive of Carmenere, all creating a memorable finish. Decant for 30min and serve at 16-18C.

CELLARING POTENTIAL:
Drinking perfectly well this coming season; and will age well for the next 4-5 years.

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCHES:
Perfect wine match with mushroom risotto, slow cooked beef, pizza and hard cheeses; enjoy.

Don't be fooled by its easy appeal, this wine has character.