Garage Wine Co. Las Higueras Vineyard Cabernet Franc
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Las Higueras sits in the Caliboro zone of the Maule and is a relatively cold site for Cabernet Franc in comparison to what you normally see in Chile for this varietal.
- These Cabernet Franc vines were grafted onto 100 year old Pais vines by an Italian traveler in the late eighties.
- Excellent freshness and more savory tones present in comparison to the winery’s Maipo Cabernet Franc bottling which is more fruit driven.
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Franc
Elaboration: Fermented naturally, caps were punched down by hand and pressing was strictly manual. The wine was barreled in neutral oak over one winters and then bottled in recycled glass. Unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes: Rare bush-head vine Cabernet Franc, shows classic herbal aromas and a leafy, spicy personality with notes of graphite, cut grass (tomato leaf) backed up by fine, well integrated tannins and proper supporting acidity. Lighter in color with surprising density and layers. Atypical new-world Cab Franc: balanced and expressive with 12,8 % alc.
PRESS
2014 – 93 James Suckling | 94 Wine Advocate,
2015 – 91 James Suckling | 92 Wine Advocate
2016 – 93 Wine Advocate
2017 – 91 Vinous | 94 Wine Advocate
2019 – 95 Wine Advocate | 94 Vinous | 94 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Derek Mossman, his wife Pilar Miranda, and Dr. Alvaro Peña are producing 1,500 cases total per year of old-vine Carignan, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with fruit sourced from small growers in Maule and Maipo.
Winemaking here veers towards the “natural” spectrum – all wines are fermented with native yeast, see no additions of any kind, very little new wood, and are low in sulfites. Punch downs are by hand, and pressing is done in a small traditional basket. You may notice slight variation in bottle thickness and shape if you were to open up cases, as Derek Mossman takes recycling to the next level and actually reuses old bottles, bottling in salvaged, used wine bottles in partnership with a recycling company located near the winery. Derek is also the founder of M.O.V.I. (Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes), Chile’s exciting, fast-growing association of independent vintners.