Santa Rita Gran Hacienda Carmenère, Valle Central D.O. Chile

• Vintage: 2022
  
• Origin: Viña Santa Rita, Central Valley D.O. Chile
  
• Taste guide: Ample, generous Chilean Carmenere. Rich aromas of ripe, red fruit and fragrant spices dominate the bouquet. Red fruit is joined by vanilla on the palate, it is fresh, medium bodied and elegant, with a rich fruity flavour, and a lovely lingering finish.
  
• 75cl - 13% - Screwcap opening
  

Santa Rita is one of Chile's most admired and innovative wine estates. Founded in 1880 it passed through a couple of owners before being taken in to the Grupo Claro some 35 years ago, since when it has developed into a modern world wide brand whilst retaining traditional winemaking values. Its most famous wine is the Santa Rita 120 range, and this Gran Hacienda brand is exactly the same wine, but with a label for the restaurant trade.

Carmenère has been so successful in Chile it has come to be regarded as its own red grape, especially as nowadays it is hardly seen in its Bordeaux homeland. The grapes for this wine were grown in vineyards across the Central Valley, all having a Mediterranean, semi-humid climate but with varying soil types. The skill of the winemaker, Carlos Gatica, is to marry the varying characteristics engendered by these different plots, to produce this top-quality end wine. Following a May harvest, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, then fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures with regular pump overs. Early bottling was undertaken to preserve this variety's fruitiness and natural aromas.

Santa Rita Carmenère is an illustrative variety of Chilean wines, dominated by aromas of black and red fruits and spices. Its silky, deep tannins makes it easy to drink, and very versatile to pair with a broad diversity of food. It is young, fresh and fruity, elegant and perfectly balanced with good acidity.