2016 CARMENERE, Tributo, Caliterra. Colchagua, Chile

Bin: 470

Alcohol Percentage: 13.5%

Area: Colchagua (part of the larger Rapel Valley) is about 200km south of Santiago and stretches from the Andes foothills to the Andes - so there are actually many different microclimates within the region.
This is from the (fairly warm) heartland, an area good for maturing the late-ripening Carmenère.

Grape Variety: 100% Carmenère, matured for a year in American and French oak - but very little new oak.

Producer: Caliterra, owned by Errazuriz, is a pretty large producer - they have over 1,000 hectares in Colchagua. For years they have produced fruity, rather oaky wines which have sold predominantly in the US market. In the last few years Rodrigo Zamorano has changed the emphasis and now the style is much fresher, with the wines lower in alcohol, fresher and more lively.

Old Bridge Rating: Really good example of the often difficult Carmenère grape - this has a brambly, lively character but without being heavy or 'grippy' (two of the most common issues). Great to see a well-known name like Caliterra leading the way with modern styles.