CHILEAN WINE

SANTA INES

Legado de Familia Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 1996

Wine Advisor: Aurelio Montes

Wine Makers: Adriana Cerda Marcelo Retamal

Varieties: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Own 36 years old vineyard)

Appellation: Maipo Valley

Soil: Light & sandy, with excellent drainage and medium fertility.

Analysis:

Alcohol : 13.20 vol%

Residual Sugar : 2.28 g/l

Total Acidity : 3.58 g/l

Maceration : 25 days

(Controlled Temperature)

pH : 3.67

Production:

The grapes were hand-picked at the peak of their maturity and then underwent careful selection. They were then destalked and fermented at controlled temperature with their natural yeasts in small tanks. The maceration took place after alcoholic fermentation.

Maturation:

The wine was then aged in French oak barrels (Seguin Moreau) for a period of 16 months.

Colour:

Majestically deep red colour with violet coloured tints.

Bouquet:

A complex and alluring bouquet, bursting with berries, with a nice touch of smoke and violets.

Palate:

This follows through to the palate, revealing a perfect balance of oak and fruit. Full-bodied, intense flavours.

Suggestions:

This wine is suitable and highly-recommended for cellar ageing. It will open up magnificently in 5-10 years time, although it may be drunk comfortably for a long time into the next millennium. Serve between 16-18ºC. To be drunk with game, wild boar and pheasant. Also exceptional with lamb, and other red meats.

Rating / Award:

1996 vintage won "Silver Medal" at The International Wine Challenge, London 1999.

1996 vintage rated 91 and highly-recommended by Wine Spectator.

(Highest rating so far [1998] for a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.)