Caliterra

Harvest Report

The 2010-2011 season registered a lower heat summation in every zone with respect to the historic average, and the Casablanca Valley was no exception. The spring was sunny, although the temperatures were lower than those of previous years. The cool trend continued throughout the rainless summer months, which allowed the grapes to ripen slowly. The result was an exceptional vintage for the wines from the Casablanca Valley-wines with tremendous aromatic intensity and bright, refreshing natural acidity levels.

Tasting Notes

Greenish straw yellow in color, and the tremendous aromatic intensity appears on the nose, recalling citrus fruits and minerals accompanied by a light touch of dried fruits and spice. The palate is elegant and mineral, with sharp acidity that heightens the flavors. Big-volumed and lush and promises good aging potential.

Fermentation and Aging

The grapes that go into our Tributo Chardonnay were carefully selected and hand picked. The bunches were direct pressed to obtain the highest quality must, which was decanted in stainless steel tanks and then fermented in French oak barrels, approximately 15% of which were new. 85% of the lots were fermented with wild yeasts, and the lees were stirred once a week during the barrel aging. Approximately 15% of the final blend underwent malolactic fermentation. The wine remained in barrels for 10 months, after which it was blended and bottled.

Winemaker’s Notes

Our aim for this wine is elegance, complexity, and the fruit expression of Casablanca, one of the best valleys in the world for this variety. We have kept our line of work consistent in fermenting many lots of wine by segmenting the vineyards and due to the diversity of the vinification techniques used. This provides us with a broader pallet of wines that reflect the immense potential of this terroir.