Tierra Alta Merlot 2024

Tierra Alta Merlot, Central Valley, Chile, 2024

Grape: 100% Merlot, unoaked

Producer Tasting Note:

Plum, blackcurrant and cranberry aromas burst from the glass. The palate is juicy and fresh with soft red fruits and a hint of green pepper. A really easy drinking Merlot.

Working with two families in two different locations for a blend with huge appeal, the first is the Martin Family who are nestled into the Andes Mountains in a western corner of Curico. Their vineyards are at 500 metres above sea level (masl), a far higher altitude than most of Curico’s main valley which lie around 250masl, and this 45ha vineyard of unirrigated vines has a unique, rocky mountain soil and glacial streams. At this elevated height and proximity to the mountains, Merlot enjoys a long growing season with cool evening temperatures.

Blending this fruit with grapes from the El Milagro Estate in the centre of the Curico valley, the warm temperature and fertile soils allows Merlot to flourish here. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the day to ensure they reach the winery in prime condition. Temperatures are kept low throughout the winemaking process allowing the grapes to express their natural fruit characters. No oak is used. The resulting wine is fuller, with more body and softer tannins, and works well with the higher altitude component. The strength of this blend is the ability to balance out warmer and cooler vintages using these two different profiles.

Food Match: Savoury sausage casseroles or vegetable based pasta dishes.