Viu Manent, Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2020 , Viu Manent

Colchagua Valley, Chile

Grape Variety: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Syrah

Alcohol: 14% ABV

The Story

Viu Manent is a Chilean winery owned by the Viu family. It was founded in 1935 when the Catalonian immigrant Miguel Viu-García and his two sons Agustín and Miguel Viu-Manent founded Bodegas Viu in Santiago de Chile. 

Viu Manent wines are made with grapes from their own properties in the Colchagua Valley in Chile’s Central Zone, 130 km (80 mi) southeast of the capital, Santiago. The winery’s 254 hectares (627 acres) are divided among vineyards in San Carlos, La Capilla, and El Olivar.

Vineyard & Winemaking

The grapes for this wine primarily come from the San Carlos Vineyard located near
Cunaco in the Colchagua Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon blocks were planted more than 100 years ago.

Soils are deep, extraordinarily porous and are of alluvial origin with a sandy-clay texture. It has very good ability to administer water to the plants throughout the year, which is especially important in old vines

The vineyard is planted to a density of 4,808 plants per hectare, and the vines are trellised to low vertical shoot position and spur pruned. Shoots are trimmed in the spring and early summer, and leaves are pulled manually in early March to ensure good ventilation for the
grapes.

The cuvée is made up of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Syrah.

The grapes were harvested between March 30 and April 4, 2020; and were destemmed and crushed into a tank for alcoholic fermentation at 26–28ºC. Fermentation was very gentle to prevent over-extraction in order to obtain a friendlier, more elegant, and better-balanced wine. The went then underwent a post-fermentation maceration for 7–10 days. Later, the new wine underwent malolactic fermentation, with 85% of the wine finishing the fermentation in barrels. Approximately 75% of the wine aged for 12 months in used French oak barrels, 6% in French oak foudres, and the remaining 19% aged in concrete tanks. 

Tasting Notes:

Deep red in colour. On the nose the aromas are principally of red fruit, cassis, ripe figs, and a subtle note of spice like vanilla. On the palate there’s good structure, with sweet tannins balanced by good acidity. The finish is complex, with notes of fresh fruit complimented by a subtle caramel aftertaste.

Cellaring & Service

Cellaring Potential: 6-8 years  

Serving Temperature: 16-18°C

Allergens: This wine contains sulphites