Curico Valley is known for its diversity, with more than 30 grape varieties available since the mid-1800s in this region. Curico Valley is located in the South of Santiago, Chile. This region began its winemaking industry when Spanish producer, Miguel Torres, came to generate foreign investments from wine production.
Curico Valley has microclimate conditions. Hot days and cool nights in Curico Valley promote great soil conditions for wide varieties of grapes to grow. Among the many types of grapes, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Vert are popular in the region. The soil of Curico Valley provides the touch of chocolate in Carmenere grape wines and aroma of coffee in Cabernet Sauvignon. Curico Valley developed a practice of dropping grapes on the ground to intensify the flavor. Up to this day, Curico Valley is one of Chile’s main winemaking regions.
La Ronciere Licanten Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Franc.
Intense aromas of black fruits, notes of dark chocolate, and roasted coffee. The palate is round with polished, juicy tannins and a finish that leaves a lasting impression.
Hand-harvested and field-sorted. An additional sorting occurs at the winery before the grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled micro-fermentation tanks. Aged in French oak for 10-12 months. : Diverse soils derived from metamorphic rock. Includes Licorellas (same as Priorat) and Lutitas rock complemented with a series of alluvial and granitic soils. Quartz and mica are both abundant in the soil profile.
Review:
-Tim Atkins, MW 94 Points
Vina La Ronciere 'Piedras Magicas' Idahue Estate Carignan is made from 100 percent Carignan.
Piedras Mágicas is hand-selected from small blocks in the Idahue vineyard based on specific soil compositions and microclimate characteristics. The final blend is comprised mainly of Carignan and complemented by other varieties in small proportions determined by vintage.
Located 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, La Ronciere’s ambitious 500 acre Idahue Estate is their vision for the future. Prevailing coastal breezes, abundant sunshine, and rolling hills of ancient soils culminate in a privileged climatic and geological landscape. Years of research and a forward-looking approach drove the successful effort that saw Licanten granted D.O. status in 2018.
This wine displays a deep red color and offers aromas of black- berry, plum and floral notes. A complex palate of black fruits combine with pleasing notes of vanilla. Its volume and silkiness stand out. Juicy tannins and persistent acidity retains balance and elegance.
Review:
This wine displays a deep red color and offers aromas of black-berry, plum and floral notes. A complex palate of black fruits combine with pleasing notes of vanilla. Its volume and silkiness stand out. Juicy tannins and persistent acidity retains balance and elegance
-Tim Atkin MW 94 Points
This great wine with identity and power is born in the Fundo Idahue vineyard, located 25 km from the Pacific Ocean, in the town of Licantén.
Its vinification process was carried out in micro-fermentation tanks and later it was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.
Surprising for its aromatic complexity. Uninhibited, it reveals aromas of fruits such as cherries, strawberries, plums and dried figs. On the palate it is juicy, fresh, tasty and round, with a balanced natural acidity. Notes of nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts add elegance and style to a different and tasty wine with great aging potential.
-Review
Decanter 95 Points
The origin of Lot C-91 began in the fall of 1969 when Joe Heitz created this one-off cuvée, which was very normal in those days, as a more premium version of his already iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottling. Joe envisioned Lot C-91 as a greater step up in quality from the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with a higher quality of fruit sourcing, coming exclusively from the sought-after single vineyards of Heitz Cellar.
Lot C-91 is the culmination of 50 years of tireless effort, trial and error, and the continual desire to make a unique expression of the heralded vineyards of Heitz Cellar.
Review:
Wow. Such a racy and exciting nose! This is quite agile and nimble, full of red and blue berries in the forefront, then complemented by spiced orange, earl grey, red plums, potpourri, savory plums and chocolate. Tense and elegant on the palate, which is all about succulent red berries, nuance and texture. Nothing redundant here. A great Napa cabernet sauvignon that has real definition. A beauty by all accounts!
-James Suckling 96 Points
In 1969, Heitz produced a one-off cuvée called Lot C-91. It was thought of as an elevated version of the Napa Valley Cabernet – a 'best of the best' blend from sites throughout Napa. After a bottle of the '69 turned up and turned heads at a Heitz wine dinner, the winemaking team decided to produce a modern iteration. It's comprised of vineyards in four AVAs: Rutherford (34%), Oakville (34%), Howell Mountain (17%) and St Helena (15%). The dazzling nose instantly shows off the component from Martha's Vineyard and on the palate it walks the line between succulent, powerful, herbal and floral, showing none of the heat of the 2017 vintage. As of June 2020, this was still a barrel sample, while many Napa 2017s are already on the market.
-Decanter 96 Points
Thierry Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
The wine is produced from 20 different parcels (3 hectares total). The soils are a mix of clay and silt.
The age of wines varies between 15 to 60 years.
Yield: 45 hl/ha
Production: 15,000 bottles on average.
Manual harvest with a selection of the grapes; sorting table; 100% destemming; maceration for 15 days, cold stabilization for 4-5 days; M-L.; racking twice a day. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 4 months. Aging in oak barrels for 12 months (new and 1 or 2 year old barrels). Kieselguhr filtration before bottling.
Liquorice, blackberry, red fruits flavors.
Excellent with meat, game and cheeses.