Vineyards:
Clos des Fous has 19 hectares of vineyards in total, which is supplemented by fruit from selected growers. Pedro Parra's key aim was to move plantings away from the fertile plains and up the slopes into the Andean and Coastal ranges, where the rockier soils result in lower vine vigour and deeper roots, which he believes gives better balance and more finesse to the wines. Cauquenina means “girl from cauquenes”. This blend comes from non-irrigated old vines, planted on ancient red granite slopes.
Vinification:
Cauquenina is a blend of several varietals. Each lot was vinified and aged separately. Fermentation took place in cement vats. A portion (about 15 to 20%) of the wine was put into new French oak barrels and the other part in one-year-old barrels. The fermentations were slow and careful so as not to over-extract.
Tasting Notes:
This wine is dark ruby red in colour with violet tones. On the nose, it has black and red fruit aromas, predominately cherry and raspberry. The complex nose also has floral notes of chamomile and tea leaves. A touch of minerality comes through on the palate with notes of graphite and earth. The wine is generous and silky with very fine tannins and excellent acidity which enhance the Cauquenina's liveliness and balance.
