La Playa Estate Carmenere from Chile's Colchagua Valley. Deep ruby-purple with expressive black fruit, characteristic bell pepper, and subtle spice notes. Medium to full-bodied with soft tannins and a long finish. Sustainably farmed and partially oak-aged, this 13.5% ABV wine showcases perfect balance from an ideal vintage. Pair with grilled meats or traditional Chilean cuisine.
Tasting Profile
Deep ruby-purple with violet edges, this Chilean Carmenere displays expressive aromas of ripe black fruits, blackberries, and dark plums intertwined with distinctive notes of green bell pepper, black pepper, and eucalyptus, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla and baking spices. The palate offers generous flavors of black cherry, blueberry compote, and cassis balanced by characteristic herbaceous notes, dark chocolate, and a touch of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied with soft, approachable tannins providing gentle structure while maintaining smoothness, culminating in a pleasantly long finish with lingering notes of dark berries and spice.
Winemaker Notes
Produced by the Axel Geddes family at their La Playa estate in Chile's Colchagua Valley, this Carmenere showcases the country's signature red variety. The grapes are harvested from sustainably farmed vineyards situated on the region's rich alluvial soils, which provide ideal growing conditions for developing the variety's unique characteristics. Following gentle extraction, the wine undergoes fermentation and aging primarily in stainless steel with a portion seeing time in French oak barrels, preserving the grape's varietal expression while adding subtle complexity.
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in Colchagua Valley benefited from ideal conditions with warm days and cool nights, allowing for slow, even ripening. This created perfect balance between Carmenere's natural fruit expression and its distinctive herbaceous qualities, resulting in a wine with excellent concentration, freshness, and varietal typicity that beautifully represents Chile's warm-climate terroir.
Suggested Pairings
- Grilled red meats, especially beef
- Traditional Chilean dishes like empanadas
- Hearty stews and casseroles
- Roasted vegetables with herbs
- Medium-aged cheeses
Technical Details
- Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
- Classification: D.O. Colchagua Valley
- Varietal: 100% Carmenere
- Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
- Aging: Primarily stainless steel with partial aging in French oak barrels
- Contains sulfites
Cellaring
Best enjoyed within 3-5 years of release to appreciate its vibrant fruit character, though well-stored bottles may continue to develop interesting complexity for several additional years.
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