If we are just inserting ourselves into the world of wine we have probably heard terms and concepts that we do not know. One of them is the blends or assemblies, with award-winning exponents of our country.
The first thing is to be clear that a single variety is a wine that is made entirely with the same type of grape. The varietal, meanwhile, is here in Chile that has at least 75% of the same grape, although in other markets that percentage may vary.
On the other hand, there are assemblies or blends that are the mixture of two or more strains. In some cases it could also be different harvests of the same variety or the same grape from different vineyards.
Blends are characterized because they give winemakers the possibility to make wines of great complexity, high quality, very balanced and balanced. And while a large number of consumers prefer varietals, assemblies are a category that has grown with great strength, being able to find outstanding exponents in different price ranges.
“New World countries such as Chile, Argentina, Australia and South Africa have dared over the years in making this type of wine, imitated by borderline blends, but on several occasions giving it an identity of the place. In the case of Chile, traditionally the local touch comes from the hand of Carmenere or Cabernet Sauvignon, but increasingly we have seen versions that are more linked the interpretation of certain places than to varieties, giving rise to very creative combinations”, says Tomás Muñoz, winemaker of Viña Carmen.
The specialist made three recommendations for his elaborations
Carmen Delanz Alto Jahuel 2018: This year Viña Carmen launched this New World ink blend that has a Cabernet Sauvignon base (76%), with Cabernet Franc (16%), Petit Verdot (5%) Petite Sirah (3%). This wine is the interpretation of the Alto Jahuel vineyard, showing its potential through a mixture of red vines. It is a perfect combination of structure, persistence and delicacy, reflecting the identity and uniqueness of the Andean vineyards of the Maipo Valley, preserving above all freshness and balance.
Carmen DO Matorral Chileno 2019: An ink mixture of Carignan (60%), Grenache (30%) and Country (10%), coming from historic dry vines that are more than 80 years old, located in Melozal, in the Maule Valley; a wine in homage to the union between wineries and producers who have dedicated their lives to magical vineyards. This blend is characterized by its fresh and floral aromatic profile, dominated by red fruit and spices.
Vintages Blend II: Four vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley reinvent the perfect assembly, providing a wine of great complexity. This version has 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.
Other vineyards
Viña TerraNoble and his winemaker Marcelo Garcia opted to make wines with a different and daring touch, which materialized in the Disident line.
Dissident Naranjo, with 87% Pinot Blanc and 13% Pinot Gris, casablanca valley, specifically the Area of The Said. Harvest 2018. With an intense aroma, notes of quince, nispero and slight citrus notes of orange peel and lemons, earthy and mineral stand out. On the palate it has a very good structure, long, mineral, fresh and with a vibrant acidity.
Dissident CMG, with 85% Carignan, 7,5% Mourvedre and another 7.5% Grenache from the Maule Valley, specifically from two areas. Melozal and San Clemente. Harvest 2017. Intense and deep violet red colour, aromas of red and black fruits, acidic cherry, certain spicy notes such as dill and thyme and minerality stand out. On the palate it is a fresh, juicy, complex wine with a great structure and volume. It has a perfect tannin-acid balance. The 2018 harvest was recently launched.
Disidente Syrah-Tempranillo, with 90% Syrah and 10% Tempranillo, Casablanca Valley, also Las Dichas area. Harvest 2017. Intense and bright red colour. It is a wine that has several layers of aromas, highlighting red fruits, grato, ash, olives, ores and charcuterie. On the palate it is elegant, fruity and fresh with very rich acidity that invites you to drink it. The 2018 harvest was recently launched.
Regarding wines, Marcelo Garcia has said that “Dissident is a different line, which, in the creation of each of its wines, seeks to move away from the traditional in varieties, mixtures and oenology, always respecting the nobility of our aunterra and capturing the essence of what it gives us. Dissident doesn’t follow recipes. The place, the varieties that make up each of the wines and the moment of harvest is what inspires us to pay attention to every detail. Dissident seeks to surprise.”
One of the best ink blends for Decanter
The famous magazine Decanter selected Liguai 2015, from Viña Pérez Cruz, among the best ink blends in South America, placing it in the 7th place in the ranking with 95 points.
The magazine describes it: “with a nose that is faithful representative of the unclarified blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenére. At first notes of cedar, casis and eucalyptus stand out; then Syrah adds white pepper, blackberry and fleshy notes; and ends with a fresh touch of green pepper from Carmenére. Modern and elegant, with a devoidness of flavor and polished fruit with a long and persistent finish. To drink until 2030.”
Germán Lyon, chief winemaker of Viña Pérez Cruz, stated that Liguai 2015 is a blend “of complex and elegant aromas that hope to be discovered, such as berries, pepper, cedar and chocolate, which are mixed with a light toasted notes typical of French oak. A concentrated wine, with a great body and unctuousness, with solid tannins with a long and persistent finish in the mouth”.
