Archive for Rapel Valley
January 2, 2008 at 5:21 pm · Filed under Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Merlot wine Chile
Region: Non irrigated 60 year old vines. Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley.
Grape: 85% Merlot, 15% Carmenère.
Harvest: Hand-harvested from 8th of April in small baskets of 15 kg. Coming from non irrigated 60 years old vines of limited yields: 5.3 tons/ha (2.5 tons/acre) for the Merlot 3.5 tons/ha (1.5 tons/acre) for the Carmenère. The 2004-2005 season began with a dry winter and a cool and cloudy spring. Summer was dry. During the last two weeks of February, the temperatures climbed, which had the effect of correcting the delays observed during the early stages of the growth. The temperature decreased in March and the month of April was exceptionally sunny, helping to achieve a perfect ripening process. Lower yields combined with great climatic conditions generated and exceptional vintage 2005.
TASTING
Color: Deep red with purple shadows.
Nose: Intense, ripe red fruit typical of Apalta wines. Plums & cherries integrate well with the delicate oak touches of sweet spice, nutmeg and vanilla.
Mouth: A generous attack is followed by a pleasant and smooth mid palate. The finish is persistent and the overall structure is vivacious and well balanced. Ready to drink now or cellar for several years.
Chilean wine for share
November 15, 2007 at 6:06 am · Filed under Rapel Valley, Merlot wine Chile
If you want to broaden your view of Merlot, try this chilean wine. This, and many others from South 
America and places like Washington State and Northern Italy will surely redefine your view of Merlot. If you think of Merlot as the simple, sweet restaurant by-the-glass default, you’re missing out. Move past those wines, and discover Merlot such as this Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexander. It has heft and real, elegant wine qualities. What gets my attention is that it’s slightly dryer and more earthy than what I expect from Merlot. This is a very nice wine for US$19 and it has educated my palate. Raise a glass!
Tasting notes:
Berries and earth bouquet
Nice fruit core on the palate, a lot of layers unfold
Very dry finish for Merlot
Chilean wine for share
November 15, 2007 at 5:41 am · Filed under Rapel Valley, Chardonnay wine Chile, Riesling wine Chile, White blend, Viognier
From Anakena Vineyard:
Grape variety
35% Riesling,
35% Viognier,
30% Chardonnay |
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Valley of origin
Rapel Valley, Alto Cachapoal |
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Vinification
Clear must is fermented at 15º C, and 40% is fermented in French oak barrels. |
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Aging
40% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. |
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Fining & Filtration
The wine is protein stabilized with bentonite. Then it is stabilized with tartaric at -1ºC. Prior to bottling, the wine is carefully filtered. |
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Bottling date
September 2007 |
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| Alcohol level |
13.6º |
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| Sugar level |
2.1 g/l (glucose) |
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| Acidity level |
5.58 g/l (tartaric acid) |
Chilean wine for share
October 26, 2007 at 4:30 am · Filed under Colchagua Valley, Rapel Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon wine Chile, Shiraz wine Chile
The unique labeling attracts your attention and does a good job communicating the importance of good 
rootstock to making a good wine. The story goes that these are rare ungrafted vines growing in a rarified region. Unlike most of the world’s wine growing regions, here in Colchagua Valley Phylloxera has not destroyed the original vines or forced new vines to be grafted onto resistant root stock.
Seattle based Click Wine Group is partners with giant Agrosuper Viña Ventisquero on Root:1 Chilean Cabernet.
Winemaker Felipe Tosso reports the source of fruit is the Apalta and El Suspiro (”the whisper”) Vineyards in Colchagua Valley, a sub-region of Rapel Valley. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, aged about 1 year in French oak barrels.
Outstanding value ($11). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14%.
Style: Fruit forward, complex, lush, dark fruit, some oak spice.
Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep ruby translucent. Aromas: Cherry, loganberry, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, and sage. Rich, well-structured and medium-bodied, the jammy dark fruit flavors merge with spicy cedary oak to create a big dry reverberating finish.
Comment: This unexpectedly fruity and new worldly Chilean Cab goes great with a medium rare steak.
Chilean wine for share
October 7, 2007 at 5:53 am · Filed under Rapel Valley, Chardonnay wine Chile
In October the weather begins to heat up, and with the heat this is the best time to try Misiones de Rengo Chilean ChardonnayChardonnay white wines which are served chilled. A wide range of offers can be found of reserve white wines at a very affordable price.
It pays to keep a look out since real bargains can be found in young wines which have not been stored in oak barrels. Ideally buy 2007 wines, or 2006 at the most.
This Misiones de Rengo Chardonnay Reserve 2006 is a very good wine, above all on the palate, with pleasant tropical fruit notes.
Misiones de Rengo Vineyard.
Chilean wine for share
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