Alcance Gran Reserva Carmenere 2016
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James
Suckling
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Carmenere, the obscure Bordeaux variety once believed extinct, has now become Chile's signature grape. Alcance Carmenere comes from our estate vineyards in Maule. Lush notes of black fruits, blueberries, and spice are abundant in the nose and follow through the fruity, spicy palate. Elegant tannins provide structure and elegance. This is a powerful wine with a beautiful personality whose rich flavors truly capture the essence of the San Francisco vineyard.
Vegan
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A ripe and generous wine for the difficult 2016 vintage that is still fresh with a very attractive balance of juicy blueberries and soft tannins. Slightly rustic and herbal finish.
Other Vintages
2015-
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The last two decades have taught Alcance that Maule is a place of unlimited potential. With modern planting, farming and winemaking techniques, Maule can produce wines that deliver all the depth, character and complexity of many of the world's finest.
Alance is built around estate vineyards planted over dozens of soil types in various climatic regions. They produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Vigno (old-vine Carignan) and Bravura, their flagship Bordeaux blend, all of which reflect the unique terroir and sense of place.
Dark, full-bodied and herbaceous with a spicy kick, Carménère found great success with its move to Chile in the mid-19th century. However, the variety went a bit undercover until 1994 when many plantings previously thought to be Merlot, were profiled as Carménère. Somm Secret— Carménère is both a progeny and a great-grandchild of the similarly flavored Cabernet Franc.
Dramatic geographic and climatic changes from west to east make Chile an exciting frontier for wines of all styles. Chile’s entire western border is Pacific coastline, its center is composed of warm valleys and on its eastern border, are the soaring Andes Mountains.
Chile’s central valleys, sheltered by the costal ranges, and in some parts climbing the eastern slopes of the Andes, remain relatively warm and dry. The conditions are ideal for producing concentrated, full-bodied, aromatic reds rich in black and red fruits. The eponymous Aconcagua Valley—hot and dry—is home to intense red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
The Maipo, Rapel, Curicó and Maule Valleys specialize in Cabernet and Bordeaux Blends as well as Carmenère, Chile’s unofficial signature grape.
Chilly breezes from the Antarctic Humboldt Current allow the coastal regions of Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley to focus on the cool climate loving varieties, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Chile’s Coquimbo region in the far north, containing the Elqui and Limari Valleys, historically focused solely on Pisco production. But here the minimal rainfall, intense sunlight and chilly ocean breezes allow success with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The up-and-coming southern regions of Bio Bio and Itata in the south make excellent Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Spanish settlers, Juan Jufre and Diego Garcia de Cáceres, most likely brought Vitis vinifera (Europe’s wine producing vine species) to the Central Valley of Chile sometime in the 1550s. One fun fact about Chile is that its natural geographical borders have allowed it to avoid phylloxera and as a result, vines are often planted on their own rootstock rather than grafted.