Malbec 2018

Shielded by the coastal range, the Rapel Valley benefits from a warm, sun-kissed Mediterranean climate tempered by cooling evening drafts from the Andes. This ideal balance allows for a slow, perfect ripening, yielding wines with a plush, silken texture and a generous, beautifully expressive fruit profile.

Wine history in Chile began with sixteenth century Spanish missionaries and grew through French influence in the nineteenth century. Its geographic isolation protected vines from phylloxera, preserving old varieties like Carmenère which was originally mistaken for Merlot. A modern quality surge in the late twentieth century positioned Chile as a reliable and increasingly terroir focused producer. Chile’s wine identity is built around long valleys, Pacific influence and the natural protection of the Andes. Its classification system is based on DO regions that run north to south. A host of familiar grape varieties shape many of the country’s reds, while Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay lead the whites. From the coastal freshness of Casablanca to the structured reds of Maipo and the cooler styles emerging in Itata and Bio Bio where Riesling does well, Chile offers clarity, consistency and a growing focus on terroir-driven winemaking.