Haras De Pirque 2016 Cabernet Franc Gran Reserva, Galantas, Maipo Valley

Haras de Pirque is Marchesi Antinori's estate in Chile. In Pirque, Chile in the foothills of the Andes, 290 acres of vineyards were planted in 1992 and since then the winery has turned out fine boutique quality wines named for their famous racehorses. Of course the globe-trotting Antinori family winemaking team led by Renzo Cotarella is in charge.

Galantas represents the maximum expression of Cabernet Franc in the Maipo Andres valley. The grapes are sourced from Haras de Pirque’s organic vineyards, situated in the Maipo Andes valley at over 2300 feet above sea level. Here Cabernet Franc succeeds in expressing to the maximum degree its important potential, much assisted by the cool nights of the Andres foothills.

The four separate Cabernet Franc vineyard plots and the Carménère were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks and French oak casks. The cold, pre‐fermentation maceration lasted from three to five days and aimed at fully bringing out the aromatic components of the grapes. After the fermentation, which utilized solely spontaneous yeasts, the wine went into barrique where it aged for a period of fourteen months.

The final blend is 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Carménère. The wine shows notes of dark berry fruit as blueberries and blackberries. The palate is supple, ample, persistent and characterized by pleasant tannins. A wine capable of demonstrating all of the character of the Maipo Andes valley.