June 2015 – The 2014 Chilcas Cinsault comes from a single vineyard site located 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean that are sourced from ten year old, un-grafted, head pruned vines
planted on nutrient deficient granite soils in the Itata Valley.
Located over 300 miles south of Santiago this is an area with a
long history of viticulture and winemaking
dating back to the colonial times. This area
is known for its wealth of small sustainable
vineyards, many of them laiden with old
vines. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean and
its moderating cool Humbolt Current,
coupled with the nutrient deficient soils
allows grapes to ripen slowly resulting in
wines of good concentration and lifting
acidity.
The concept of this single vineyard Cinsault is to retain its fruit
purity and freshness. Aged for only four months in old oak casks
this is a wine of vibrancy and freshness. Red berry fruit dominated,
this almost reminds one of a very well made Beaujolais with its
red cherry, deep strawberry and pomegranate fruit flavors, this is
supple yet has a good beam of acidity that gives lift and freshness to
the fruit, with smooth, lighter tannins that makes this a great drop
right out the gate. Although this shows well now it should hold up
nicely over the next several years quite easily.