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La Escultura Estate is a vineyard that
receives the benefits from a coastal
influence that moderates temperatures
throughout the year, given its location, just
20 miles (32 km) from the Pacific Ocean
in the Casablanca Valley.
Cool maritime breezes allow a long and
gentle ripening period that encourages the
development of grape aromas and flavours
and ensures very good acidity levels. This
condition makes the valley a privileged place
for producing cool climate varietals such
as Chardonnay.
The vineyard was planted between 1992
and 1994 on granitic soils with low to
medium vigour potential. The vines are
vertically positioned, and the vineyard is
drip irrigated. |
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| The winter of 2007 was one of Chile’s
coldest and driest in the last forty years,
which entailed several consequences for the
2008 harvest. Spring soil moisture levels
were lower than in previous years, which
provoked a uniform but delayed budbreak
that occurred 10–15 days later than
it did in the prior season. From January
on, Casablanca showed high temperatures
of 32°C (90°F), although overall
December–April temperatures were very
close to historic averages, with a final heat
summation of 1,433 degree-days, just 1.7%
lower than historic average (1,456 degreedays)
and 2.2% higher than previous season
(1,401 degree-days). Covered canopies,
non-restrictive water management, moderate
crop loads, and later-than-average harvest
ensured healthy grapes, with good acidity,
freshness, intensity, and a citric, herbal and
well marked typicity.
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| We harvested the fruit for our Chardonnay
Estate from late March through the first half
of April. Upon arrival at the cellar, most of
the grapes were whole cluster pressed, and
the rest were destemmed and gently crushed.
Vinification took place with clean musts, and
the different lots were separated according
to their specific characteristics. 94% of the
wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks,
while the remaining 6% fermented in French
oak barrels. 24% of the final blend was
then aged in French oak barrels for 4
months. This wine accomplished a 15% of
malolactic fermentation. |
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| A beautiful golden-yellow colour with a clean
aromatic expression of tropical fruits such
as pineapple and cherimoya that mingle with
very well-integrated notes of oak that lend
complexity and elegance. The well-rounded
fresh palate features pleasing acidity, good
volume, medium body and a long finish. |
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100% Chardonnay |
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Casablanca Valley |
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13.5% by vol. |
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3.12 |
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5.78 g/l (tartaric acid) |
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4 g/l |
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