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Wine Information
Vineyard:
The grapes for this wine were selected from our best lots of Syrah in the Don Maximiano, Max V, and Max VI vineyards, located in the Aconcagua Valley. We have also included 10% of grapes from Manzanar, our Aconcagua Costa estate. The Don Maximiano and Max vineyards have a lengthy dry season with moderately warm summer days cooled by refreshing evening breezes that blow into the valley from the Pacific Ocean.
Don Maximiano is planted to a density of 10,000 plants per hectare and vineyard management here includes head pruning, which reduces the fruit load per plant and produces very concentrated, well-structured wines.
The Max V and VI vineyards are vertically trained and planted in deep, rocky sandy-loam soil with excellent drainage, which keeps vigour low to moderate.
Manzanar vineyard is located in a 121 hectare estate of rolling hills situated at 100–300 m (328–985 feet) a.s.l. It was planted in 2005, mainly with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir owing to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which is just 12 km (7.5 miles) away. Its proximity to the sea gives this vineyard the cold climate qualities that work well for producing intensely aromatic Syrah with abundant red fruit¸ floral notes and spices, along with a high acidity that lends crispness and nerviness.
Vineyard altitude:
Don Maximiano: Rolling hills with an average altitude of 590 m/1935 feet a.s.l.
Max V: 600 m/1968 feet a.s.l.
Max VI: 430 m/1411 feet a.s.l.
Manzanar: Rolling hills with an average altitude of 200 m/656 feet a.s.l.
Climate:
Don Maximiano and Max vineyards: Mediterranean, with a long dry season and rainfall mainly in winter. Manzanar, Aconcagua Costa: Rain is limited to the winter months, while summer days are moderately warm, with early morning fog and cool afternoon breezes.
Like the rest of the country, the Interior Valle de Aconcagua had a warm, dry summer that extended into March and April owing to several temperatures spikes. However the heat summation this season was quite moderate, with a 2008–2009 average on our different estates of 1,622 degree days (DD), 71 DD fewer than the historic average of 1,693 degree days. Because the temperature spikes were short, average temperatures ended up lower than in the previous season. Thus, in the Maximiano vineyards, for example, the average temperature in March was 18.4°C/65.2°F, below the 18.8°C/66°F recorded in the same month the preceding season. In the case of Aconcagua Costa (Manzanar), yields were very close to what was expected. The heat summation was 1,199 degree days in the coolest sector and 1,322 in the warmest. As in Aconcagua Costa, in the middle zone of the valley temperatures were moderate, with a heat summation of just 1,468 degree days, confirming the zone as a producer of reds that are more elegant, lively, and nicely acidic rather than full-bodied, given that the climate is colder here than in Panquehue as a result of its proximity to the coast.
Vinification:
The grapes were handpicked into small 12-kg boxes and transported to the winery, where they were carefully inspected twice on a sorting table to remove leaves, plant stalks and other remains in order to use only the finest quality fruit. The grapes were then destemmed, crushed and deposited into stainless steel tanks. 82% of the must was cold-soaked before fermentation, which was carried out with selected yeasts at 26°–30°C (79°–86°F). After this, the must underwent a post-fermentation maceration at 20°C for 15 to 30 days, depending on the development of each individual lot. The final blend was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 96% of which were new. Fining and tartaric stabilization occurred naturally during aging
Winemaker's Comments:
A deep dark violet colour, La Cumbre 2009 captivates the nose with its blackberry, redcurrant, and black pepper aromas and subtle touches of lavender, cloves, and cacao. On the palate, the tension contributed by the fresh, almost crisp black fruit is evident and produces a juicy refreshing mouthfeel. With an elegant and complex texture framed by structured, fine tannins, this wine is lively and persistent. Its long, velvety finish presages its excellent cellaring potential.
