This is a forceful, hot and heavy Carmenère with strong black-fruit, spice and licorice aromas. The palate is ripe, jammy and a touch pulpy, but deep digging reveals core acidity and structure. Flavors of herbal black fruits come with toasty oak, while the finish is minty and herbal.\n \n Producer Information\n Viña Errazuriz is a Chilean wine estate located in the Aconcagua Valley. It produces an extensive portfolio of wines from the region's popular grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot amoungst others. The estate was founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz who travelled on horseback out beyond established vineyard areas near Santiago to find the best possible terroir. By the time of the first release in 1873, the estate had over 300 hectares (740 acres) of vineyards. By 1890 this figure had risen to 700 ha (1730 ac), making Errazuriz the largest wine estate in the world owned by an individual. Wines from the estate portfolio are popular at all price levels, but Errazuriz has gained particular acclaim for its Icon wine range. Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve is the flagship offering, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend of which spends 22 months in French oak barrels prior to bottling. Other wines in the Icon range include the KAI, a Carmenere-based blend and the La Cumbre Syrah which are all sourced from the estate vineyards. The estate has seven vineyards in warmer areas of the valley planted largely to Bordeaux varieties and Syrah with some Viognier. It also owns the Costa Estate in Aconcagua's coastal region about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the Pacific Ocean, where Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also grown. Here, an altitude of 600 meters (1968 feet) above sea level creates a long growing season with cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean reaching the vine. The company profile has been assured by a series of blind tastings, starting with The Berlin Tasting in 2004 of which pitched the company to great success against wines from notable Old World producers.
