Caliterra

Winemaker Comment

An attractive cherry-red colour, in aromas the wine shows good aromatic intensity and recalls cherries, floral notes, notes of loamy earth and mint. The fresh and delicate palate features fruit nicely accompanied by smoky notes from the oak ageing. Well rounded with a pleasant finish and medium persistence.

Vintage Note

The 2008 harvest was different in several ways. It began with one of the driest and coldest winters Chile has seen in the last forty years, and as a result, spring soil moisture levels were lower than in previous years. Budbreak occurred 10-15 days later than usual -although highly uniform- in many varieties. From January onward, high temperatures of 32°C (90°F) were recorded in Casablanca, although average temperatures for December-April were very close to historic averages.

Fermentation and Aging

Harvest took place during March. The grapes were hand-picked into small bins to prevent bruising or crushing of the grapes. Upon arrival in the winery, the fruit was selected, gently destemmed and deposited into stainless steel tanks. The grapes underwent a 5-7 day cold soak at 6°-8°C (43°-46°F) to increase fruit and spice intensity. Fermentation took place at 28° to 32°C (82°-90°F), followed by a post-fermentation maceration, for a total of 20 days of skin contact. The wine was aged for 8 months in French oak barrels to integrate subtle oak notes.