BRONZE MEDAL - Decanter World Wine Awards 2010

Our Oveja Negra Reserva Cabernet Franc Carmenère comes from the Maule Valley, Chile, 260 km (162 mi) south of Santiago.

The valley features tremendous geographic diversity and a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons, including a warm, dry summer with a significant difference between daytime and night time temperatures and a cold, rainy winter.

Both red grape varieties present a naturally balanced yield of 8-10 tons per hectare, and therefore no cluster thinning was necessary.    

Grapes:    70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Carmenere

Climate:    Warm Mediterranean, with extended dry summers and cold, rainy winters.

Soils:        Young alluvial soils in evolution, in low position and moderate fertility derived from conglomerates, breccia, tuff, and volcanic ash. Most of the soils are loam to clay-loam in texture.

Alcohol:   14.1%

Sugar:      3.8g/l

Harvest:  

Cabernet Sauvignon: April 29 

Syrah: April 22

Climatic Data:

Average maximum temperature (October -April ): 26.66°C (80°F)

Average minimum temperature (October -April ): 9.92°C (50°F)

Average Daily Temperature Oscillation (October -April ): 16.74°C (63°F)

Average Rainfall Winter (Mayo-Agosto ): 346.2 mm (13.6 in)

Annual Rainfall : 460.5 mm (18.11 in)