Viu Manent, Single Vineyard, 'Loma Blanca' Carménère 2022

Loma Blanca Carménère, Single Vineyard, 2022, Viu Manent

Colchagua Valley, Chile

Grape Variety: Carménère

Alcohol: 14% ABV

The Story

The wines in the Single Vineyard series are extraordinary examples of the definition of their region and variety, which contributes to the complexity and personality of each wine.

These are small productions made with the finest Viu Manent grapes from selected blocks of our 3 Colchagua Valley vineyards. Controlled yields and very ripe, concentrated hand-picked fruit give rise to these wines of outstanding characteristics that are aged for 14–18 months in French oak barrels.

Vineyard & Winemaking

From the El Olivar vineyard, located near Peralillo, in the Colchagua Valley. The vineyards average 18 years of age. Soils are Piedmont of a geological formation, with a slope between 20–25%. The soil has very good porosity and drainage, with a well-structured top layer of granite with gravel, on top of a second layer that has fragmented granite rock with an abundance of fine root development.

The vines are planted to a density of 5,714 plants/hectare. They are trained to low vertical
shoot positions, and cane pruned or guyot. Shoots are pulled in the spring, and leaves are pulled manually in mid-January to ensure good ripening and sun exposure for the grapes.

The bunches first underwent a selection in the vineyard, harvesting just the grapes in
optimal conditions. The grapes were selected by hand in the cellar before destemming and crushing into the tank. The pre-fermentation maceration took place at 8–10ºC for six days in order to get a greater extraction of colours and aromatic compounds. Alcoholic fermentation was done in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 26º and 28ºC. During fermentation, 4 very short pump-overs were performed daily, and once finished, there was a post-fermentation maceration of 1 week. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in barrels. The wine aged in oak barrels and the wine was bottled after being lightly filtered. 88% of the wine aged in French oak barrels for 14 months. The remaining 12% aged in concrete eggs to highlight the fruit of the grape variety. 

Tasting Notes:

With a deep purple colour, the wine’s nose shows typical varietal character of Carménère, highlighting notes of blackberry and wild berries, mixed with aromas of wet earth and white pepper. The palate Is elegant and fresh with good structure and firm, silky tannins that add texture and balance, and lead to a long, pleasing finish. 

Cellaring & Service

Cellaring Potential: 8-10 years  

Serving Temperature: 18°C

Allergens: This wine contains sulphites