Codegua MCT

SYRAH EDICIÓN LIMITADA

Viña Lagar de Codegua

VINEYARD

Lagar de Codegua’s winery and vineyards are located at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Alto Cachapoal, at 600 meters a.s.l. The Cachapoal Valley has a Mediterranean climate, with a warm, dry growing season from September through May. Rain occurs principally in winter, between May and August, with annual totals of approximately 450 mm (17.7 in). One of the principal characteristics of the climate close to the Andes Mountains is the large difference in temperature between day and night, which can be more than 20ºC (36ºF). This temperature oscillation increases the color and flavors of the grapes, and therefore the wine, while maintaining the freshness.

The rocky alluvial soils are loamy in texture, and originated as the result of a landslide some 12,000 years ago during the last glacial period, with a landslide beginning in the mountains and ending in the valley, forming a table of deep soils with good drainage, allowing us to control the plant’s vigor and yield naturally.

The vineyard is planted principally with Cabernet Sauvignon (36 hectares) and Syrah (5 hectares), but there are a few experimental blocks planted with Malbec, Carmenère, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Grenache, and Mourvèdre with excellent results. The yield is 8.5 tons per hectare.

WINEMAKING

Codegua MCT is a blend made of Malbec, Carmenère and Tannat. Every grape variety is hand picked separately early in the morning and transported in boxes of 20 kg to the winery, where bunches are carefully destemmed and transferred to 800 liter bins. For Malbec and Tannat the temperature is decreased to 8-10 celcius degrees for 2-4 days, before spontaneous fermentation take place. This allowed us to ferment every variety separately. Alcoholic fermentation occurred at low temperatures with daily light punch downs, especially for Tannat, where the chapeau is just “showered” with a 10 liter jag.  Malolactic fermentation was done in barrels and ageing lasted 14 months in three to four year old barrels, to minimize oak flavors. After this period the three varieties were blended, the wine was bottled and left in our cellar for a further 6 months prior to release.

TASTING NOTE

Setting out to blend the most South American wine of all, the results tasted are very interested,  with bright acidity and leafy fresh nose, this blends captive with its aromas of blackberries and hints of flowers from the Malbec, which is the basis of this wine.  Carmenère is a round and luscious variety that works well as a blending partner, showing all his spicy taste. Tannat, recently introduced to Chile, It is a vigorous variety, and with its deep color and extremely high level of tannin provides a lot of framework as well as fresh notes of raspberry to the wine.

Medium bodied, with firm structure and good length, we advise to age the bottle a few years before drinking. Otherwise decant and enjoy with hearty, full flavored food.

DRINK WHITE

This fruity medium bodied but structure wine, matches very well with different kind of food. MCT blend is a great partner for meat cooked in the oven, with vegetables or rice, a nice dish of “Chilean Porotos”and “empanada”. You can also enjoy this wine with a homemade burger up to an onion quiche. You should also try it with a carpaccio or a meat tartar. You will be able to enjoy this great different blend from beginning to end.