SANTA INES

 

ESTATE BOTTLED WINES

 

CHILE

 

Santa Inés Vineyard is owned by an Italian family, Famiglia De Martino, who settled in Chile over 60 years ago. They arrived in the "New World" full of Old World enthusiasm and philosophies. In their search for the ideal location, they discovered that the soils and climate of the Maipo Valley, and in particular the picturesque village of Isla de Maipo, contained the factors that they were looking for in order to fulfill their dream of producing some of the best wines in Chile. To this day, the whole family is dedicated to the entire wine making process. Their goal is to satisfy the most demanding palates worldwide.
 
By combining their knowledge of vineyard management and their winemaking expertise, along with the latest technology, fully equipped with stainless steel tanks and fine oak barrels from Seguin Moreau and Radoux (France) and World Cooperage (U.S.A.), they are successfully producing wines that are attracting the attention of wine connoisseurs and consumers alike. Trade recognition has been achieved by many medals and awards that they have obtained in Bordeaux, London, Italy, Switzerland, Montreal and Asia, to name but a few.

Santa Inés produces:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenère in reds;Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon in whites.

SANTA INES VINEYARD

History

Over 60 years ago a young Italian named Don Pietro De Martino Pascualone arrived in Chile, searching to satisfy his passion for wine. In his quest for the ideal location he decided upon the Maipo Valley, with its excellent soils and perfect climate, and in particular Isla de Maipo, just 50km from Santiago and the Andes mountains, and 50km from the Pacific Ocean. Pooling knowledge accumulated by generation of winemaking, and with typical pioneering Italian spirit, the Santa Inés vineyard was soon to gain a reputation for quality. Today the Santa Inés estate has expanded in many ways, increasing its original vineyard acreage, whilst always remaining a "Family Winery" in the truest sense of the world. Currently, three generations on, the dynamism is still prevalent, and state-of-the-art technology combined with a fiercely proud family tradition are enabling the wines of Santa Inés to compete amongst the best.

 

Local Geography
Paradoxically Isla de Maipo is not really an island, although up, until the last century it used to be hemmed in by the River Maipo, whose flowing waters branched the stretches and re-joined further on, thus isolating the villagers and giving them the feeling of being on an island. More recently, however, and as a result of the extreme climatic variations experienced in Chile – earthquakes, volcanos, droughts – one of the branches has dried up, leaving the locals more room for manoeuvre part of the Santa Inés vineyards now grows where the former branch of the River Maipo used to flow, producing the unique wines that you will find emerging from the Santa Inés estate.

 

Vineyards & Vines
The vines that produce the grapes from which the wine is made are located in the Maipo Valley, an area with a first class reputation in the production of fine quality wines in Chile. Santa Inés currently has plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere and Semillon, with an extension of 300 hectares.

 

Soils & Climates

The vines are cultivated on soils which have good textural characteristics; they are light and sandy, with excellent drainage and medium fertility.
The spring and summer seasons are dry with a high light intensity, and there are ideal temperature differences between night and day. At night breezes from the Pacific Ocean arrive, bringing the temperature down substantially. There is no rain for 6 months. In the summer maximum temperature stays in an optimum range, perfect for the formation of the aromas and acids, and the production of colouring agents.

 

SANTA INES VINEYARD

Description of the Elaboration Process
The vines that produce the grapes from which the wine is elaborated are located in the Maipo Valley, an area with a well known name in the production of fine quality wines in Chile.

The vines are cultivated on soils which have good textual characteristics, they are light permeable and of medium fertility.

The spring and summer seasons are dry with a light intensity and there are good temperature differences between night and day. In the summer, maximum temperatures stay in an potimum range, for the formation of aromas and acids and the production of colouring agents.

 

Quality Control Process
Our philosophy is to be a "boutique" winery with the best wines we can possibly make and this implies a permanent concern about quality controls.

Quality control starts with an evolution of the base wines and how to make them blend in the best manner.

Once the blend is made full analysis is done as well as a tasting. Analysis covers alcohol, total acidity, volatile acidity, free SO2, iron, residual sugar, pH.

At this stage it is determined if a protein treatment is necessary or not.

The wine undergoes cold stabilization treatment.

The evolution of all wines is closely followed by monthly analysis and tastings.

Prior to bottling the wine is again tasted for stability:

  1. Cold stabilization consists of 14 days at 0ºC.
  2. Air stability consists of keeping a half-filled, corked bottle at room temperature during seven days to check wine performance.
  3. Free SO2 levels are checked in order to have 30 ppm at the time of bottling.
    4.

The wine is stored in bottles for three months at 15ºC and a final tasting is held at the time of shipment.

A full-time Oenologist supervises all these processes permanently and a Consultant Oenologist controls the full-time Oenologist periodically.

Our Consultant Oenologist is Mr. Aurelio Montes.

 

New Release Reviews of Wine Spectator in their latest issues.

Chile: Reds

  1. Rating 91, Santa Inés Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Reserva de Familia 1996

    Muscular and intense, this rich Chilean red offers ripe cassis, mineral, licorice and light herb flavours that build on the palate, backed by firm, chewy tannins, but with balance and harmony. The long finish is spicy and refreshing. Taste twice, with consistent notes. Best from 1999 through 2000. Highly recommended!

    1,8000 cases made.

  2. Rating 87, Santa Inés Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Legado de Armida 1995

    3.
    This polished red offers a deft mix of toast, coffee, ripe plum, black olive and licorice flavours. The structure is firm, but the wine is lively and balanced. Accessible now, better in 1998. 25,000 cases made.

  3. Rating 86, Santa Inés Malbec Maipo Valley Legado de Armida 1996

    4.
    This firm red shows polished, ripe black cherry and toasty flavours and meaty, smoky notes. It’s quite austere now, but should develop more complexity by 1998. 3,000 cases made.

  4. Rating 85, Santa Inés Carmenere Maipo Valley Legado de Armida 1996

    5.

    This chewy red offers plum, licorice and smoky flavours, with thick texture and firm tannins. Has enough structure to stand up to food. Drinkable now.

    3,000 cases made.

  5. Rating 84, Santa Inés Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 1995

    Fresh and straightforward, this red is quite tannic, with cherry, black olive and herbal flavors. Not that expressive on its own, but a good match for hearty dishes.

    5,000 cases made. "A World of Value Wine" by Wine Spectator 1998.

  6. Rating 84, Santa Inés Malbec Maipo Valley 1996

    7.

    This vivid red packs a real punch of flavour, with smoky, gamy notes giving way to ripe cherry and plum flavours. Balanced and fresh. Drinkable now through 2000.

    5,000 cases made.

  7. Rating 83, Santa Inés Merlot Maipo Valley 1996

    Leans towards the meaty, herbal side of the varietal, with light plum notes. It has firm tannins and a clean finish with coffee accents. Drinkable now.

    17,300 cases made.

  8. Rating 83, Santa Inés Carmenere Maipo Valley 1996

    Vivid plum, licorice and smoke flavours give this lively red distinctive character. It has light tannins, lacks a bit of structure. Accessible now.

    5,000 cases made.

New Release Reviews of Wine Spectator in their latest issues.

Chile: Whites
  1. Rating 85, Santa Inés Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Reserva de Familia 1997

    Ripe, rich and concentrated, with loads of ripe pear, apple and butter flavours. A bit obvious with its blowsy style, but filled with gusto. Finishes with notes of caramel and cinnamon. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

    2,000 cases made.

  2. Rating 84, Santa Inés Chardonnay Maipo Valley 1996

    3.

    This big-boned white makes an impact on the palate with its muscular acidity and toatsy oak flavours. Its fruity flavours are rather neutral, with light notes of apple and lime, but is should match well with food.

    7,300 cases made.

  3. Rating 84, Santa Inés Sauvignon Blanc Maipo Valley Legado de Armida 1996

    4.

    A round, silky white, offering sunny flavours of melons, apples and cream, with just enough acidity to keep it fresh. Not much varietal flavour, but tasty.

    3,900 cases made.

  4. Rating 83, Santa Inés Chardonnay Maipo Valley Legado de Armida 1996

    5.

    Vanilla and toast flavours dominate this medium-bodied white. There’s enough acidity to keep it lively, but it lacks fruit for balance. For fans of oak.

    7,200 cases made.

  5. Rating 83, Santa Inés Sauvignon Blanc Maipo Valley 1996

Quite rich, with lemon, pineapple and vanilla flavours. Firm acidity. It’s powerful enough to match with food, though a light earthy note on the finish detracts a bit.

25,500 cases made.

About the 100-Point Scale
    1. Classic, a great wine.
    1. Outstanding, a wine of superior character and style.
    1. Good to very good, a wine with special qualities.
    1. Average, a drinkable with that may have minor flaws.
    1. Below average, drinkable but not recommended.
    1. Poor, undrinkable, not recommended.

SANTA INES VINEYARD

AWARDS & MEDALS

1.     (A) Challenge International du Vin, Vinexpo, 1999

(i) Santa Ines Enigma Reserva Merlot 1998 Gold Medal

(ii) Santa Ines Enigma Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 Bronze Medal

(B) Challenge International du Vin, Vinexpo, Bordeaux, June 1997

(i) Santa Ines Sauvignon Blanc 1997 Gold Medal

(ii) Santa Ines Malbec 1996 Bronze Medal

(C) Challenge International du Vin, Vinexpo, Bordeaux, 1995

(i) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1992 Bronze Medal

 

2.     (A) The International Wine Challenge, London 1999

(i) Legado de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1996 Silver Medal

(ii) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

(iii) Legado de Armida Malbec Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

(iv) Legado de Armida Carmenere Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

(v) Santa Ines Carmenere 1998 Seal of Approval

        (B) The International Wine Challenge, London 1998

      (i) Legado de Armida Chardonnay Reserve 1997 Silver Medal

      (ii) Legado de Armida Malbec Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

      (iii) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1997 Seal of Approval

      (iv) Legado de Armida Carmenere Reserve 1997 Seal of Approval

      (v) Santa Ines Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 Seal of Approval

      (vi) Santa Ines Merlot 1997 Seal of Approval

      (vii) Santa Ines Malbec 1997 Seal of Approval

      (viii) Santa Ines Cabernet Merlot 1997 Seal of Approval

      (ix) Santa Ines Carmenere 1997 Seal of Approval

(C) The International Wine Challenge, London 1997

(i) Legado de Armida Merlot Reserve 1996 Bronze Medal

(ii) Legado de Armida Carmenere Reserve 1996 Bronze Medal

(iii) Legado de Armida Chardonnay Reserve 1996 Commendation

(iv) Santa Ines Merlot 1996 Seal of Approval

(v) Santa Ines Chardonnay-Barrel Fermented 1996 Seal of Approval

(D)  The International Wine Challenge, London 1996

(i) Santa Ines Sauvignon Blanc 1996 Silver Medal

(ii) Santa Ines Cabernet Merlot 1995 Bronze Medal

(iii) Santa Ines Merlot 1995 Commendation

(iv) Santa Ines Legado de Armida Reserve 1995 Commendation

(E) The International Wine Challenge, Shanghai

(i) Santa Ines Enigma Reserva Merlot 1998 Silver Medal

(ii) Santa Ines Enigma Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 Bronze Medal

 

3.      (A) The International Wine & Food Society, WINPAC 1999, Hong Kong

(i) Legado de Familia Chardonnay Reserve 1996 Gold Medal

(iii) Legado de Familia Chardonnay Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

(ii) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1997 Bronze Medal

(B) The International Wine & Food Society, WINPAC 1997, Hong Kong

(i) Santa Ines Cabernet Sauvignon 1995 Bronze Medal &

Outstanding Value

(ii) Legado de Armida Chardonnay Reserve 1996 Bronze Medal & Best Value Wine

(iii) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1995 Bronze Medal & Best Value Wine

 

4.       Concorse Enologico Internazionale, VINITALY 1997

(i) Legado de Armida Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1995 Gran Menzione

 

5.       Wine and Spirit Thailand 1996

(i) Santa Ines Sauvignon Blanc 1996 Gold Medal

 

6.       (A) Decanter 1999

(i) Legado de Armida Merlot Reserve 1997 Commendation

(ii)Legado de Armida Carmenere Reserve 1997 Commendation

  (B) Decanter 1997

(i) Legado de Armida Merlot Reserve 1997 Commendation