In line with the brand’s spirit of creating cool-climate wines, Vistamar has made an important change in its Gran Reserva range, migrating the origin of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère varieties from the Maipo Valley to Cachapoal, in search of fresher and more balanced wines.
Slow ripening processes. That’s Vistamar’s specialty! After verifying the exceptional quality of the grapes that ripen slowly in their low-temperature terroirs, all of Vistamar’s vineyards grow in areas that are beneficial for each of its varieties. The grapes take their time to get fully ripe, allowing us to deliver a collection of wines that are balanced and well-structured, unique in their style.
Therefore, and aiming to offer wines with more balance and verticality, Vistamar decided to migrate the origin of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, both part of the Gran Reserva range. As of 2019, the grapes for these two wines come respectively from blocks 12 and 13, placed in the highest sector of our La Moralina estate. The vineyard grows at the feet of the Andes Mountains in the Cachapoal Valley.
“This change answers our interest in conferring our wines more elegance and balance and thus differentiate Vistamar’s winemaking proposal,” says winemaker Cristián Carrasco. And he adds: “although it may seem that the valley does not feature such low temperatures, the location of the La Moralina vineyard in the piedmont of the mountains exerts a favorable influence. And the cool breezes and cloudy mornings, which regulate the temperatures, allow the grapes to ripen more slowly.”
Vistamar Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon is a firm wine with balanced and juicy tannins of great concentration and acidity. On the other hand, Vistamar Gran Reserva Carmenère stands out for its acidity and a dominant fruit character that highlights its good structure and finesse.
This new origin hasn’t gone unnoticed by the winepress. The respected critic Patricio Tapia awarded both wines remarkable 93 points, and James Suckling granted Cabernet Sauvignon 91 and Carmenère, 90 points. The latter was also awarded 91 points by the respected English critic Tim Atkin.
The range would not be complete without two other wines: Gran Reserva Chardonnay and Gran Reserva Pinot Noir. Both have their origin in the Casablanca Valley, of proven and favorable coastal influence for both varieties. We have been incorporating a small percentage of Chardonnay grapes from the Limarí Valley in recent vintages, allowing the first wine to gain verticality and attractive mineral notes. And our Pinot Noir from Casablanca stands out for its complex and persistent fruity, floral notes with and slightly spicy character.
The last wine of this range is Vistamar Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, a blend that continues to have its origin in the Maipo Valley. It has an excellent body and volume, with firm tannins and juicy fruit. Thus, the Vistamar Gran Reserva portfolio offers a solid winemaking proposal with wines of distinct personality, elegance, and verticality.
