Santa Rita Medalla Real Reserva Carmenere

Santa Rita is one of Chile's premier wineries. Housed in a historic building, the winery was founded in 1880 in Chile's Maipo Valley. They offer a wide variety of wines. Their production ranges from mid-range Medalla Real to their flagship lines, including the excellent Floresta line and the seductive Casa Real Cabernet, expertly crafted by Chilean winemaker Sebastián Labbé and his team, using grapes sourced from across Chile. This Reserva Carmenere boasts a full-bodied flavor with plenty of structure. Prepare to be surprised by its fruity aromas.

The rolling hills for the Carmenere grapes

The grapes are grown in the Colchagua Valley vineyard. The climate is cold, strongly influenced by the nearby Pacific Ocean. This tempers the warm weather and allows the grapes to ripen slowly. Carmenere grapes, in particular, thrive in this climate. The soil structure consists primarily of granite with a touch of clay. The Carmenere thrives on the rolling hills, resulting in fruity wines with beautiful concentration. Fermentation was carried out with selected yeasts, and extraction was controlled throughout. Intense pumpovers were performed at the beginning of fermentation, decreasing towards the middle or end. Maceration follows, which can range from a few hours to as long as 10 days. Finally, the wine is aged in American and French oak for approximately eight months.

The soft tannins of Medalla Real Reserva Carmenere

And after eight months of waiting, it's time to savor this deep purple red wine. The aromas of black fruit and notes of spice and mocha leap from the glass. What a complex wine! On the palate, this Reserva Carmenere has a full-bodied flavor and plenty of structure. Soft and elegant tannins continue into a long, refreshing finish.