Viu Manent Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard La Capilla
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The wines in the Single Vineyard series are extraordinary examples of the definition of their region and variety, which contributes to the complexity and personality of each wine.
- These are small productions made with the finest Viu Manent grapes from selected blocks of our 3 Colchagua Valley vineyards.
- Controlled yields and very ripe, concentrated hand-picked fruit give rise to these wines of outstanding characteristics that are aged for 14–18 months in French oak barrels.
- The grapes for this wine come from a selection of the best sectors of blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4 of our La Capilla Vineyard near the town of Peralillo in the Colchagua Valley.
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Elaboration: The bunches underwent a preliminary selection in the vineyard, and only those in optimal condition were harvested. The grapes were then selected manually prior to being destemmed and crushed into a tank, where they underwent a 7-day pre-fermentation maceration at 8º–10ºC for better extraction of color and aromas. Alcoholic fermentation took place with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 25º–27ºC with 4 short pump-overs per day, ending with a post-fermentation maceration for approximately one week. The new wine underwent malolactic fermentation naturally in oak barrels and was minimally filtered prior to bottling. Oak treatment: 96% of this wine was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels (22% new). The remaining 4% was aged in 3200-liter foudres.
Tasting Notes: Cherry red in color. The perfumed nose presents layer after layer of aromas that recall fresh red fruits, cherries, blackcurrants, tobacco, and a subtle spice note. The ample, complex, vibrant, and richly textured palate expresses its origin. The wine also has great depth and is very pleasing to drink.
PRESS
2015 – 91 Tim Atkin | 91 James Suckling
2016 – 90+ Wine Advocate
2017 – 90 Wine Advocate | 91 James Suckling
2018 – 92 James Suckling
2020 – 90 Vinous | 92 James Suckling | 92 Wine Advocate
2021 – 93 James Suckling | 92 Vinous | 91 Wine Advocate
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The estate was and still is one of the most well-exposed sites in the region, and it included 150 hectares of pre-phylloxera massal selections from France.
This company provides us with wines we consider the best value wines in the country (see “Reserva line), forward/experimental options (see “Secreto” line), some of the most solid “under $20” varietal wines you’ll find anywhere in the world (see “Gran Reserva” line), site specific/terroir driven releases (see “Single Vineyard” wines), and most famously the iconic “Viu 1.” Malbec is clearly the house specialty here – Viu Manent was the first Chilean winery to bottle, label, and market Malbec, and they’ve for years been Chile’s Malbec leaders both in terms of accolades and quantity produced.
After nearly 100 years this firm is still family owned and operated (a rarity in Chile, especially for a winery of this size), all farming is certified sustainable, and two of Chile’s top names consult with the winery on a permanent basis – Roberto Pizarro (vineyard management) and Paul Hobbs (winemaking).