Viña Montgras and The Holy Grail of Carmenere
Where Carmenere Thrives
The D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley in Chile is home to the most of the world’s best Carmenere with it’s warm temperatures throughout the days and nights. Essentially, it’s the holy grail for Carmenere. This D.O. is influenced by the Cachapoal River and the Coastal Range of the mountains, but where it sits it is moderated from extreme coastal and Andes effects, taking on just subtleties by each such as the cooling of the Pacific Ocean air that cools the vines. It lays in a unique terroir pocket, allowing for the most optimum growing conditions for Chile’s most beloved grape - Carmenere.
The soil here is made up of mostly clay and granite and has good water retention that is crucial for the consistent heat to the vines. The grapes here can experience an extended hang time without extensive disease pressure, allowing for full ripeness potential of the varietal.
In the Mapudungun language, Antu means “sun”. The featured wine below is named as such as part of the Montgras series of wines that show true expression of terroir, and in this case, a wine that reflects D.O. Peumo’s most prominent influence.
Vina Montgras
Vina Montgras was established in 1993 in the center of Chile in the Colchagua Valley. They cultivate wines from their vineyards in the most prized regions in Chile that include the Maipo Valley, Leyda, Colchagua, Colchagua Costa and Ninquen. The later is where they established Chile’s first mountain vineyard in 1998, especially coveted for its’ volcanic soil.
In 2011, Vina Montgras became one of the country’s first certified sustainable wineries and proudly represent and uphold a sustainable culture throughout all of their winery practices, from grape to glass. More recently, as of 2021, they have transitioned their entire portfolio to vegan and also added an organic series to their lineup.
Montgras Antu Carmenѐre 2020
A vegan, single varietal that showcases the purity of a precise terroir - Block 16 of the Cabana Blanca Vineyard in D.O. Peumo, Cachapoal Valley, Chile. Serious, and complex as it opens with aromas of blackberry, graphite, green and black pepper, and chocolate covered coffee beans. Continuing depth on the palate as earthy nuances filter in. Fine, ripe tannin alongside cedar, eucalyptus, and dark flavours of blackberry, black pepper and dates. Balanced acidity, and a lengthy, pleasantly bitter, coffee finish.
This wine was awarded “Top 10 Carmeneres from Chile” by The Drinks Business.