Santa Rita : Pewën de Apalta Carmenère 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Pewën de Apalta Carmenère 2023 by Santa Rita

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep carmine red colour with rich purple hues, appearing both dense and luminous.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with mineral and graphite notes, accompanied by scents of black cherry, sweet spices and a delicate touch of tobacco.

Palate
Precise and concentrated, the palate offers a velvety texture supported by round, fleshy tannins. It reveals delicious aromas of blackberry and ripe plum, extending into a long, persistent finish with a lovely balanced freshness.

Food and Wine Pairing
This wine will pair wonderfully with grilled or braised red meats, mushroom risotto or semi-hard cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring
The Pewën de Apalta Carmenère 2023 has excellent ageing potential and can be enjoyed until around 2033.

The Authentic Expression of a Chilean Carmenère by Santa Rita

The Estate
Founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernández Concha in Alto Jahuel, Viña Santa Rita is a historic figure in Chilean winemaking. Now controlled by the Claro group, the estate stands out for its exceptional heritage and strong commitment to sustainable development. Having become an essential name on the international stage, it cultivates vines in the country's finest valleys. The estate skilfully blends tradition and modernity to offer high-quality wines that reflect the richness and diversity of Chilean terroirs.

The Vineyard
The grapes come from a small plot nestled on the foothills of Apalta, whose vines were planted in 1938. This terroir in Central Valley stands out for its weathered granitic soils, offering low fertility, good porosity and optimal drainage. Grown without any irrigation, the vines draw their water balance naturally from the soil's reserves and from spring basin supplies. These ideal conditions help control vine vigour, encourage good foliar development and ensure perfect ripening of the berries.

The Vintage
The year was marked by a sub-humid Mediterranean climate. Rainfall, reaching an annual average of 482 mm, was mainly concentrated during the winter period. Spring proved cold and dry, giving way to a particularly hot summer season, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C. These weather conditions, combined with a heat accumulation of 1,836 degree-days, encouraged slow ripening of the grapes, ensuring excellent concentration.

Winemaking and Ageing
The hand harvest for the Pewën de Apalta Carmenère 2023 took place at the end of March. After destemming and partial crushing, a five-day pre-fermentation maceration was carried out, incorporating 3% whole berries at the bottom of the tank. Spontaneous fermentation took place in stainless steel and concrete tanks between 24 and 26°C. Extraction, initially intense through daily pump-overs and rack-and-return, was softened towards the end of the process to preserve the elegance and suppleness of the tannins. After a six-day post-fermentation maceration adding roundness, the pomace was pressed vertically. The press wine, essential to the final blend, along with the rest of the wine, was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (40% new and 60% second-fill). The wine was bottled without filtration.

Grape Variety
This wine is made from 100% Carmenère.