Garage Wine Co. Carinena Empedrado “Cru Truquilemu”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Cru Truquilemu is from a small triangular section with less natural yield. The vineyard is on the Coastal Range of mountains (much older than Andes and Farming slower to cool) full of crystals and decomposed granite – Cuarcic silty sandy granitic soils / subsoils.
- This Cru is a second of two wines with distinct personalities from the same vineyard. Each is treated differently to accentuate its distinct personality. It has greater concentration, and a darker more brooding personality.
- It is fermented with more stems and mostly Nadalie Noisette Toast barrels 3-4 use – Syrah in the blend lends weight, depth, and texture.
- Will develop for many years (10+).
- Uncertified organic.
Varietal Composition: Cariñena & Syrah Field Blend
Elaboration: Combination of original methods of cultivating the old vines ie. Farmed by hand and horse, accompanied by the lens, analysis and scientific ideas of Prof Alvaro Peña [Garage partner] and in-house PhD in Viticulture. Naturally fermented with native yeasts -conical shaped lagar fermenters. Caps punched down by hand (lightly). Whole bunch and lignified stems re-introduced after crush to avoid carbonic maceration. Co-fermented Cariñena & Syrah in the field-blend. 1st addition of sulfites only after malolactic that finished a full 11 months after harvest.
Tasting Notes: Bright natural acidity and precisely captured fruit-based tannins.
PRESS
2019 – 98 Wine Advocate | 97 James Suckling | 97 Vinous
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.