DBR (Lafite) Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc

Background

Los Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional to the everyday. The vision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite to expand their estate took them to South America in 1988, becoming the first French viticultural investment in modern Chile. Los Vascos, one of the largest vineyards in the central Colchagua valley, is located in Valley de Caneten (Colchagua) approximately 25 miles from the sea, within a perfect microclimate for high quality viticulture.

“Cromas” is derived from the Greek word for color. The Cromas Gran Reserva range celebrates the many colors found in nature by the distinctive color on its packaging, reflecting the colors of grapes and the colors of the terroir. When exploring elevations at the foothills of the mountains, a specific kind of ochre granite was discovered, ideally suited to plant new vineyards which produce wines of incomparable precision and elegance.

From the deep purple of the Andes Mountains to the slate black sands of the pacific shore and the burnt orange of foothill plots, Cromas synthesizes the unique spirit and complexity of Los Vascos terroir while incorporating a commitment to quality at every stage of the process.

Cromas elevates the portfolio and reinforces the positioning of Los Vascos as a major forward-looking player in Chile.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

For this demanding grape variety, the hillsides of Santa Lucia were selected. The soils consist of altered granite with low argile content and the southeastern exposure offers the optimal ripening conditions. The gentle ocean breezes help cool the grapes at night.

The season began with an exceptionally warm and dry winter, with few days below zero. There were two bouts of frost during the winter which damaged some buds and shoots, resulting in natural thinning and therefore lower yields, with better quality and concentration of the grapes. Over the course of the season, temperatures increased constantly, with peaks of up to 98°F. As a result, harvesting began 20 days earlier than normal. Despite differences in the vineyards (exposure, soils, clones), the high temperatures homogenized.

WINEMAKING & AGEING

This grape variety calls for a very soft handling in the winery, with extreme caution and patience required during the extraction and maceration phases. Grapes are fermented in small stainless steel tanks; various plots are vinified separately. The wines are aged 80% in oak barrels and 20% in concrete tanks.