Viu Manent Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

Viu Manent Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • The grapes for this wine come from two vineyards in the Colchagua Valley.
  • The first is on the Fundo San Carlos property near Cunaco, where the blocks average 22 years in age.
  • The second is in the Litueche zone just over 12 miles from the Colchagua coast, which lends freshness, natural acidity, and aromatic intensity to the wine.

Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Elaboration: The grapes were destemmed into a press without crushing and macerated for 4–6 hours at 10ºC to extract aromatic precursors and flavors contained in the skins and to increase the sensation of oiliness perceived in the final wine. The juice is later drained and decanted for 36–48 hours at 8ºC before the clean must is transferred to stainless steel tanks for fermentation at a range of temperatures (14º–18ºC) to obtain different aromatic profiles and different characteristics on the palate.

Tasting Notes: Greenish-yellow in color with outstanding fruity aromas of white peach, pineapple, and grapefruit intermingled with floral and subtle citrus and saline notes. The palate is complete, fruity, fresh, and persistent with good volume and a pleasing finish.

PRESS

n/a

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).

Print Shelf Talker