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| Country: | Chile |
| Region: | Colchagua Valley |
| Winery: | Siegel |
| Grape Type: | Merlot |
| Vintage: | 2023 |
| Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Siegel San Elias Merlot is 100 percent Merlot
Soft, rich and concentrated with juicy plum and blackberry fruits, soft tannins and a velvety texture.
Try with hearty stews, pasta and roast red meats.
The Vina Siegel Crucero Estate
Alberto Siegel was born in Santiago in 1946, the third generation in Chile of an Austrian family. His grandfather was an Austrian architect that built some very important and traditional buildings in downtown Santiago, at the beginning of the 20th century, including the Chilean Federal Reserve.
His father, Don Germán, was a viticulturist that spent most of his career in charge of Viña San Pedro’s vineyards near the town of Molina, 140 miles south of Santiago. There Alberto grew up, literally in the middle of the vines. It was not a surprise when he decided to study Agronomy and specialize in winemaking at the Universidad Católica in Santiago.
After finishing high school, he spent a year working in wineries in Germany, and upon his return in 1971, he joined the German company Bayer. His job was to sell fertilizers to farm owners in the Colchagua area, 100 miles south of Santiago. Through this job he got to know almost every land owner, most of which were grape growers and wine producers.
A few years later and as a natural consequence, he started to act as a wine and grape broker, selling the production of small owners to the big Chilean wineries. He established Sociedad La Laguna, and he soon became the most important Chilean broker in this field, a position that he holds today by far. There is hardly any Chilean person or company involved in the wine business that has not dealt with Alberto Siegel at least once.
In parallel, and together with his father, Alberto founded Viña Siegel in 1980. They started planting vineyards in Colchagua and building the Winery in Santa Cruz. When Don Germán died in 1998, Alberto became the owner, together with his family. In the beginning, Viña Siegel only sold bulk wines to the biggest Chilean wineries, like Concha y Toro, San Pedro and Santa Rita. In 1997, Alberto decided to enter the bottled wines business and made the necessary investments to go ahead with this project.
Today, the winery has a capacity of over 3 million gallons and the company owns over 1,850 acres of vineyards in Colchagua. Their wine cellar has state of the art technology, such as vertical pneumatic presses, vacuum filters, and stainless steel tanks with total temperature control, for both cooling and heating. Viña Siegel Winery is still a family operation, with Alberto Siegel as chairman and chief winemaker. The winery has two consultants in enological matters.
The Vina Siegel Crucero Vineyard
The varieties of grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with other new varieties being added as markets demand. Viña Siegel is currently working with terroir consultant Pedro Parra to design a new site in Los Lingues, which will be planted with several new varietals, including Carignan, Grenache, and Mourvedre. The winery produces a range of varietal wines, along with reserve wines that highlight the quality of the grapevines born in this valley. The Colchagua Valley is truly a synthesis of the country’s way of life and wine has been produced here since time out of mind. This area, which has deservedly been raised to the category of estate bottling in wine making, has maintained its prestige due to the great quality of its wines. One of its noted symbols is its high quality Cabernet Sauvignons, and its red wines in general. Its variety of soils and climatic variations, some warmer, some cooler, have given the region innumerable attributes for grapevine cultivation.
The grapes here are coming from a 2-hectare single vineyard, grown organically, with a distinctive stony soil (it is an old quarry).
Looking for the highest harmony with the Environment we have made this red cherry wine with violet shades, structured and fruity. Blackberry and subtle spice. Structured, fullbodied but with smooth tannins.
destemming and light crushing of the grapes.
Fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks.
Malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks.
Aged 3 months on the lees with frequent batonnage. (stirring of the lees)
Red meat, pasta dishes, Spanish tapas, medium matured cheeses.
Finca Sobreno Crianza Toro is made from 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)
8 months in American oak barrels + 6 months in bottle
Deep-red cherry color with purple tones at the edges.
Nose: Intense aromas, good combination of black berries with toasted nuances from the oak. Balsamic and spicy underscore.
Taste: Potent bouquet, meaty with very fine and ripe tannins. Long and persistent aftertaste.
Soil types
The soil is formed by sediments of sand, clay and lime-stone, which produces a dark lime-bearing topsoil, with fine and coarse sands.
The vines are minimu 30 years old and planted at a very low density (900 plants/hectare), with reduced production levels in the range of 4,000 kilos/hectare.
Winemaking and aging
Following selection, the grapes were destemmed, crushed and the must underwent cold maceration at 10º C for four days prior to fermentation, which took place at a constant 28º C. The total maceration period lasted approximately 20 days.
Finca Sobreño Crianza was aged for at least eight months in American oak barrels of less than four years. Another six months in the bottle rounded out its ageing process.
Pairs well with any type of meat, bird, roasts, cheeses, seafood in sauces or pasta.
El Cortijillo Tempranillo La Mancha is made from 100% Tempranillo
Up front aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit, medium to light weight, Rhône wine in character, cherry fruit flavors, followed by bright acidity. Reminds of a mythical cross between a Pinot Noir and a Côtes-du-Rhône. Pleasant and fun, bistro red.
Made from 30 year old vine.
Delicious with Paella, hamburger or pasta. But also great with grilled vegetables. (bell pepper, eggplant, etc)
Golden red color.
On the nose, aromas of red fruits with the complexity of dried fruits.
In the mouth, its freshness is combined with a natural sweetness and a slight touch of wood.
RS: 134 g/Liter
TA: 3.3 g/Liter
pH: 3.6
Cortenova Prosecco Spumante NV is 100 percent Prosecco
This Prosecco comes from the highly esteemed area of Valdobbiadene. There are two recognized quality zones for Prosecco, Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Of the two, Valdobbiaden has always been recognized a having the superior quality due to its naturally higher acidity and its more northern location.
The vineyards lie at 350 meters above sea level. The vines are an average of 25 years old.
The grapes are soft pressed and the free run juice is placed in stainless steel. There is a brief maceration period of 4 hours. Specially selected yeast are added and fermentation is controlled at 20° C. There is no malolactic fermentation and the wine is transferred to autoclaves and a second fermentation is induced following the Charmat tradition. When the desired atmospheric pressure is reached (usually 1 month) the wine is bottled.
Light straw colored with greenish reflections. The perlage is fine and continuous. Fragrant bouquet full of flowers and almonds. In the palate it is fresh and clean with a soft body and a pleasing sparkle. The fruit is subtle and reminiscent of apples and pears with a hint of almond in the background. The finish is inviting.
Can be drunk by itself as an aperitif or with seafood and fish, pastas with cream sauces, chicken and fresh cheeses.
Review:
"Pale straw color. Bright, attractive aromas and flavors of roasted lemons and kiwis, green nectarine, nougat, and grass with a soft, vibrant, spritzy, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, complex, medium-length spiced clementine and delicate herbal honey finish with silky, crunchy, fruit tannins and no oak. A delicious, nicely layered Prosecco with an elegant style." - Beverage Testing Institute (November 23rd 2015), 91 pts, Best Buy
Maipe Malbec is made from 100 percent Malbec.
This Malbec has a deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas; rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character.
Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.
Siegel San Elias Merlot is 100 percent Merlot
Soft, rich and concentrated with juicy plum and blackberry fruits, soft tannins and a velvety texture.
Try with hearty stews, pasta and roast red meats.
Siegel San Elias Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fresh and delicate cassis tones, a great structure. Draw the cork half an hour before serving and serve at room temperature.
Smooth and fruity on the palate, the wine goes well with pasta, salads.
Siegel San Elias Carmenere is made from 100 percent Carmenere.
The nose shows beautiful red and dark fruit aromas, earthy notes and violets with balanced acidity. Supple and round in the mouth, juicy tannins, good concentration.
Pairs well with pasta dishes, Mediterranean cuisine and grilled vegetables.
Siegel San Elias Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
This Chardonnay has a light yellow color with green highlights. The nose shows fresh and intense tropical fruit aromas of pineapple, citrus, herbs and a touch of honey. On the palate it is lush, smooth and well-balanced with good acidity and lovely tropical fruit flavors.
Siegel San Elias Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
This Chardonnay has a light yellow color with green highlights. The nose shows fresh and intense tropical fruit aromas of pineapple, citrus, herbs and a touch of honey. On the palate it is lush, smooth and well-balanced with good acidity and lovely tropical fruit flavors.
Siegel San Elias Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.
Pale in color with a goosberry bouquet, apple and citrus fruits aromas, and fresh zesty flavor.
Excellent aperitif or with salads, fish and poultry.
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah
Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%)
It boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of crushed rocks, jammy black fruits, charcoal and graphite. Blackberry aroma with an air of dates pressed in alongside – this is sweet-noted. It is easy to appreciate, a sleek and stylish start. The palate holds excellent fruit that runs well and has kick. Its tannins move round freely and a minted finale comes forward. Its dark fruit is tasty, darkens on the finish, where tar and char from its oak enter. It is all very much together, a bundle of harmony, and will gain local attributes as it ages.
An outstanding Chateauneuf du Pape which display the best of its terroir.
The vines are 50 to 100+ year old. They are planted on red clay soils covered with pebble stones.
Harvest is destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%).
The vineyards are located in the north of Châteauneuf du Pape. GRAND VENEUR «Vieilles Vignes» cuvee is produced from the older vines. Thanks to time and an organic growing, roots go very deep in the soil. Yields are naturally low and grapes highly concentrated.
The vines are 50 to 100+ year old. They are planted on red clay soils covered with pebble stones.
Winemaking and aging
Harvest is destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in concrete vats (40%) and oak casks (60%).
Pair with venisson, duck, braised lamb or strong cheese.
Review:
"Up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, the 2018 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a bigger, richer wine than the Les Origines cuvée and has a beautiful core of smoked black fruits, candied violets, peppery garrigue, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it’s flawlessly balanced and has terrific tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish. It certainly shows the more front end-loaded, fleshy, mildly concentrated style of the 2018 vintage, yet the balance is top-notch, and it’s just a thrill to drink today. It should evolve nicely for 10-15 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020),96 pts
Aiurri Rioja is made from 80% Tempranillo, 15% Grenache, 5% Graciano.
Chalky, mineral and pure, with blood orange and blackberry fruit and scented oak. "Aroma: Complex and intense, where black fruits accompany spicy notes, highlighting black pepper and licorice. In the background, the notes of aging appear, with tones of dry tobacco and leaf litter. Taste: Powerful wine with good structure, but at the same time with notable freshness. It generates very pleasant and elegant tactile sensations. It is a wine where balance, concentration and sensations of fullness prevail. Color: Deep cherry color with a high layer."
Review:
Very well-made, a harmonious melange of fresh, plummy fruit with fine spices, warm bread and minerals. High-grade oak adds a bit of warmth. Medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins. Structured yet long. The wood tannins will integrate in two more years. Drinkable now but better from 2027.
-James Suckling 94 Points