Viu Manent, Malbec Gran Reserva 2022

Malbec Gran Reserva 2022 , Viu Manent

Colchagua Valley, Chile

Grape Variety: Malbec 95%, Cabernet Sauvignon 3%, Petit Verdot 2%

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 come from different vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, principally our San Carlos estate, located near Cunaco, in the Colchagua Valley. The vines average 22 years in age. Soil is of alluvial origin with sandy-clay textures and very deep. The soil has a very good ability to administer water to the plant throughout the year, with very good drainage and moderate fertility.

The vines are planted to a density between 4,167–5,000 plants per hectare, with low  vertical shoot positioning 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 Malbec 95%, Cabernet Sauvignon 3%, Petit Verdot 2%.

The grapes were destemmed and crushed into tanks. Alcoholic fermentation took
place between 24–26°C. Fermentation was very gentle, avoiding any over-extraction, aiming to make a more elegant, friendlier, and more balanced wine, ending with a post-fermentation maceration of 6–9 days. Malolactic fermentation finished in barrels for 85% of the wine. About 28% of the wine aged for 11 months in used French oak barrels,10% in French oak foudres, 2% remained in concrete eggs, and the remaining 60% in steel tank to keep fruit intensity intact. . 

Tasting Notes:

With a deep purple colour. The nose presents mostly red and blue fruit aromas, such as blue berry and cherry, and a subtle note of nougat. The palate shows good structure, soft tannins that are in balanced with nice acidity. The finish is long and persistent, with notes of fresh fruit complimented by a subtle toasted aftertaste. 

Cellaring & Service

Cellaring Potential: 6-8 years  

Serving Temperature: 16-18°C

Allergens: This wine contains sulphites