Errazuriz Villa

Errazuriz’s philosophy is best expressed by Don Maximiano who said, “From the best land, the best wine.” Vina Errazuriz believe in the concept of ‘terroir’ and strive to produce the finest wines by controlling every stage of the winemaking process, from grape growing in the Aconcagua and Casablanca valleys, to winemaking with the most natural techniques. An emphasis is placed on the delicate handling of the wines, with the aim of producing wines with elegance and complexity.

Production

The Don Maximiano vineyard is located in the Aconcagua Valley and the oldest among them are Max I, Max II and Max V blocks. The region has a long dry season with moderately warm summer days cooled by the soft evening breezes that enter the valley from the Pacific Ocean. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere vines were planted in 1978 and 1993, respectively, while the Petit Verdot was planted in 1999. The three vineyard blocks that contribute grapes for Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve are planted on north or northeast facing hillsides with 5°–25° of slope. Soils are volcanic, colluvial and piedmont (Max I and II) or alluvial (Max V) in origin, with good drainage conferring low to moderate vigour. The colluvial and volcanic rocky soils of Max I show high presence of mica with clay-silt texture. Max II has deep colluvial soils of volcanic origin, with loam to sandy-loam texture, and both have 30–40% stone content. Max V has deep gravelly alluvial soils with 50% stone content and excellent drainage.

29% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenere, 16% Malbec, 6% Grenache

18 months in French oak barrels, 35% new, 5% in concrete egg, 5% in foudre.

Tasting Notes

Bright ruby red colour with violet sparkles. The nose offers aromas of fresh rose petals, pomegranate, strawberry and raspberry together with soft notes of tobacco and cinnamon. Flavours of fresh red fruits, dominated by raspberry and pomegranate emerge in the mouth. The palate unveils a texture reminiscent of chalk, with delicate tannins, framed by an excellent acidity that accentuates the wine’s vertical and fresh character together with an excellent persistence.