Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Region and Vineyards

This Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Almahue Valley, one of Chile’s oldest and most historic wine regions, located in the DO Cachapoal Valley. Just 360 hectares are under vine, and many date back to the early 20th century. The estate vineyards are situated on hillsides with fine loam soils derived from granitic bedrock, enriched with quartz and oxidized iron. These well-drained soils provide minerality and tension.

The Mediterranean climate features warm, dry days and cool nights during the growing season. This wide diurnal temperature range is essential for the development of color, tannins, and acidity. The old vines, planted in 1945, are maintained through massal selection and include scattered Malbec vines, which are co-fermented in this cuvée to enhance complexity.

Winemaking

The grapes are hand-harvested early, in small 8 lb. boxes, with strict fruit selection and gentle extraction based on daily berry tasting. Fermentation is carried out using native yeasts, emphasizing a natural and terroir-driven profile. No chemical stabilization is used; winter temperatures in the valley naturally clarify the wine.

Aged for 12 months, the wine sees a varied aging regimen:
– 40% in French oak barrels of different ages
– 44% in a 7,000-liter concrete Taransaud oak tank
– 6% in new 500-liter French oak (Sylvain cooperage)
This approach preserves freshness and aromatic integrity while building texture and depth.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Intense ruby red.
• Aroma: Expressive nose of sweet red fruit, blackberries, violets, and subtle notes of cedar and tobacco leaf.
• Palate: Concentrated and polished, with a firm but round tannic structure. The texture is friendly and smooth, supported by a vibrant core of fruit. Finishes long, persistent, and full of energy.

Did you know?

This wine is made from ungrafted, massal-selected vines planted in 1945, and includes a small percentage of Malbec plants naturally interspersed among the Cabernet rows. These historic blocks represent a living legacy of Chilean viticulture—rare in both age and authenticity.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lamb chops with mushroom-Cabernet sauce – The richness and structure of the wine complement the savory depth of the dish.
• Mongolian beef with sesame and scallions – Balances umami intensity with the wine’s sweet fruit and spice.
• Dry-aged ribeye steak with herb butter – Enhances the tannic backbone and aromatic complexity.
• Roasted portobello mushrooms – A vegetarian option that draws out the earthy, cedar-edged character of the wine.

History of Clos de Luz

The origins of Clos de Luz date back to 1945, when the estate’s first vines were planted by Doña Luz, the grandmother of the current owners. Today, the winery is led by Gabriel Edwards, a fifth-generation vintner with international training in Burgundy and Champagne, and experience at Viña Undurraga and Moët & Chandon. Alongside him, Nieves Edwards manages export operations, and Felipe Uribe, former head winemaker at William Fèvre Chile, serves as consultant.

The property has been in the Edwards family for five generations and remains independently managed. Its deep connection to the land is reflected not only in the age and quality of the vines, but also in the preservation of historical landmarks such as the Azuda water wheels, declared a National Historic Monument, and an adjacent 1,500-year-old indigenous cemetery, now an archaeological site.

Clos de Luz embodies a balance between tradition and innovation, combining artisanal methods with a contemporary international outlook. The estate is part of the new wave of Chilean wineries elevating the country's wine profile through terroir-focused viticulture and precision winemaking.

Region and Vineyards

Clos de Luz is located in the Almahue Valley, a sub-zone of the DO Cachapoal Valley, 150 km south of Santiago, 65 km from the Pacific Ocean, and 45 km from the Andes Mountains. This location provides ideal viticultural conditions—warm days and cold nights during the growing season create excellent phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity.

The 33-hectare vineyard is nestled on the hillsides of Mancumen Hill. Soils are granitic with volcanic quartz inclusions, offering outstanding drainage and mineral expression. The vines are ungrafted, non-clonal, and propagated via massal selection, preserving the genetic diversity and complexity of the original plantings.

Farming is sustainable, with traditional ploughing by horse and no use of chemical stabilizers in the winery. Indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation, sulfites are kept to a minimum, and no acidification or additives are employed. This natural approach reflects a commitment to authenticity and biodiversity.

Wine Range of Clos de Luz

• Massal 1945: Crafted from the estate’s oldest vines planted in 1945, this range includes varietal wines such as Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. All are vinified with native yeasts, aged in foudres or seasoned French oak, and built for aging and elegance.
• Azuda: Named after the historic irrigation wheels still in use on the property, this line explores Mediterranean varieties such as Garnacha and Syrah, grown on the highest slopes. Wines are lifted, fresh, and aged in used oak for purity and finesse.
• Arao: A Carménère-led blend (typically with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) from high-elevation plots, Arao wines are supple, juicy, and approachable—made to reflect both terroir precision and early drinkability.
• Luz: The estate’s top wine, Luz embodies the full vision and quality potential of Clos de Luz. Made in very limited quantities, it is the ultimate expression of the vineyard’s history, massal vines, and hillside terroir.

Did you know?

Clos de Luz is one of the few Chilean wineries still using the historic Azuda water wheels—wooden irrigation devices powered by the valley’s rivers. These wheels, declared a National Heritage Monument, are a living emblem of the winery’s commitment to tradition and sustainability.