“In vino, veritas! – In wine,
truth!” – Latin Expression
In the early 1600’s, Spanish conquistadors planted the first stock
of grapes in the South American country of Chile. Located on a strip of land
between the towering Andes mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean, the French began
transplanting vines in the 1850s. This proved to be a wise investment after the
almost total destruction of vineyards in France in the late 1800s. By 1900 A.D. Chilean wine production expanded rapidly and
that expansion continues today. Vineyards in Chile avoided the diseases that
infected much of Europe, primarily because in Chile they are surrounded by
mountains that provide natural protection against parasites.
Los Vascos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 varietal (www.lafite.com/en/the-domaines/vina-los-vascos.com)
is the focus of today’s review. This full-bodied Cabernet is an estate wine
grown in the Viña Los Vascos vineyards in Colehuga, Chile under the legendary
French Domaines Barones de Rothschild. In 1988 the Château Lafite Rothschild
purchased the Viña Los Vascos property to expand their winemaking domain in
Chile.
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| Viña Los Vascos |
I was introduced to this Cabernet Sauvignon by Susan-Anne Cosgrove
from Paternak Wine Imports. Paternak Wine Imports manages the distribution of
the Viña Los Vascos wines in the U.S. from Chile, France, Spain, Italy, New
Zealand and Argentina. Viña Los Vascos is located near the Pacific Ocean to take
advantage of the microclimate of ocean breezes within the warm, dry climate of
Colchagua, Chile. While the climate of this region is similar to that of
California’s Napa Valley, the Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon holds true to my
impression of earthy, spicy wines from Chile.
PositiveVines
Helpful Hint: A microclimate is an area within a larger region that has a
climate different than the surrounding areas. Colchugua enjoys a microclimate
that is cooled by the breezes from the Pacific Ocean.
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| Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon |
The Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful ruby red colored
wine with a fruit forward cherry fragrance. The wine’s flavors are intense with
blackberries, cherry and spices. This is a full bodied Cabernet with plenty of
spices and walnut flavors in the tradition of earthy Chilean reds. Winemaker
Marcelo Gallardo uses techniques refined in Chile with a balance of L’Espirit
Lafite to create a bold, smooth red wine. Tannins are present and with
recommended decanting for 2-4 hours before serving, the flavors and aromas are
at their best. The grapes for this wine are exclusively grown at Viña Los
Vascos’ estate hence the Grande Reserve classification.
Retail prices average $20 per bottle making this an excellent
value for a full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It will pair well with grilled
beef, pork and lamb dishes. If you are not able to find it in your local wine
store it is easy to order or can be secured from Wine.com or Wine-searcher.com.
This is a wine that you can drink now, or hold for 2-5 years. At this price, I
recommend grabbing a few bottles for your cellar.
Remember
to drink what it is that makes you truly happy and always think
positively!
Drink
Responsibly!
@LafiteRothschild @1chilean-wine @paternakwine
