Adobe Reserva Merlot, Rapel Valley, Chile

Description

Production: Rapel Valley is located on the 6th Region, 160 kms south to Santiago. This zone has good drainage, excellent fertility and great characteristics for agriculture, especially for red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. This valley has a Mediterranean climate, it has coastal influence because it limits with the Cordillera de la Costa, which is low.  There’s a great concentration of rain during winter (710 mm average) and in summer this valley receives southern winds with morning mist. Summers are very hot and have big temperature fluctuation.  The grapes were manually harvested in mid April.

Vinification begins with a pre-fermentation cold soak at 8°C for a week in order to extract the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation takes place between 25°C and 28°C with a pumpover program determined by daily tasting. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks and 20% of the wine was aged in barrels for 6 months; after this the wine blended in order to obtain a more complex character.

Tasting Note: Bright ruby-red in colour with plum and red cherry aromas elegantly combine with subtle black pepper notes. The palate is juicy with ample fruit character. A delicate wood influence contributes complexity, good structure and rounded tannins. It has a soft texture and a fruity finish.

Food Matching: Ideal with lean red meats and white meats such as chicken and turkey. Also pairs well with ripe cheeses such as Camembert, Roquefort, Mozzarella, and Gruyere, with goat cheese, and with nuts, walnuts, and dried figs. A pleasing companion to vegetable stews and pastas with mild sauces.

ABV: 13.5%

Varieties: Merlot 100%

Oak Treatment: 20% aged in barrels for 6 months

VEGAN / VEGETARIAN / SUSTAINABLE / ORGANIC