Casas del Bosque Carmenère Gran Reserva 2019
(Cachapoal Valley, Chile) - [WS 91, #60 Top 100 of '22] [JS 90]
Regular price $25.00 Sale price $21.97 Save $3.03
About the Winery:
Chilean Carménère has quite a following around the world, and for consumers who enjoy this particular variety, it´s all about the earthy notes and spiciness that make this wine so interesting. The most famous area for this grape is the broader Rapel appellation; however, for their Gran Reserva, Casas del Bosque sources the grapes from longtime growers located in the more specific Cachapoal Valley, where the most highly commended and awarded Carménères come from. The 2019 Gran Reserva Carménère in particular comes from Almahue in the Peumo sub-appellation. Since the season was particularly dry, fruit concentration was exceptionally good, which meant that in order to obtain the level of ripeness and structure that consistently characterizes this wine, the time in oak barrels was shortened by about two months versus the previous vintage. The result is a wine with great concentration and a seamless wood integration, which at the same time gives a pretty good idea of what the terroir in Almahe
About this wine:
The grapes for this wine come from loamy, alluvial, well-drained soils around the Cachapoal River, which sits within the greater Rapel Valley. Upon arrival at the winery, all grapes were destemmed, table sorted and crushed to stainless steel tanks and inoculated with selected yeasts. Fermentation occurred quickly; temperatures reached peaks of 90ºF. The wine was then left to macerate for an additional 7 days, for added structure and longevity. The resulting wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, of which 20% were new, and it was left to age for 10 months. The wine was finally assembled, filtered and bottled. 1,400 cases were produced.
Tasting Note & Food Pairings:
Plummy and ripe, with a hint of tobacco and spice. The mouthfeel is ample, with mouth-coating tannins and a long and pleasant finish. Ideally served at 60-65ºF. This wine is a favorite with traditional Chilean cuisine featuring onions, sweet peppers and raisins. It also pairs extremely well with savory dishes containing soy sauce and including pork, duck or vegetables. Cheeses with a hint of sweetness such as Gruyere or Chanco.
Alcohol: 14.0%
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/L
Free S02: 36 ppm at bottling
Ratings & Reviews:
91 Points, #60 Top 100 Wines of 2022 - Wine Spectator:"Compact and fresh, this medium- to full-bodied red reveals macerated black raspberry fruit accented by notes of dried sage, graphite, fig cake and mineral, with firm, dusty tannins. Let this open in the glass or decant ahead of time. Best from 2023 through 2029. 7,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported." —AN