De Martino Legado Carmenere 2022

De Martino Legado Carmenere 2022

 

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De Martino
Legado Carmenere 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : Chile
  • Region : Maipo
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,6°
  • Grappes : 100% Carménère

De Martino Legado Reserva Carmenere is an elegant and vibrant expression of Chile’s flagship varietal, offering intense aromas of blueberries, plums, and black pepper, balanced by a medium body, ripe tannins, and fresh acidity.

Experts Score Vintage
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2022
RP Robert Parker 90 2022
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Maipo Valley, and specifically the Isla de Maipo subregion, is home to the Santa Inés vineyard, where the grapes for this wine are grown. This vineyard is located at an elevation of 343 meters above sea level, and its 27-year-old vines benefit from the unique combination of gravel soils under sandy loam and a Mediterranean climate moderated by cool Pacific Ocean breezes.

The vineyard’s west-to-east orientation optimizes sun exposure, allowing the Carmenere grapes to develop rich, ripe fruit flavors while retaining a balanced acidity. The 2022 growing season featured a cool spring and early summer, followed by warmer, dry conditions later in the season, resulting in grapes of exceptional quality and intensity.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-harvested on April 6th, 2022, ensuring optimal ripeness. The winemaking process began with 100% destemming and a five-day cold soak, enhancing the extraction of vibrant fruit aromas and flavors. Fermentation occurred at 24-26°C with ambient yeasts, preserving the wine’s authentic character.

Following fermentation, a five-day maceration added structure and depth. The wine was then transferred to stainless steel tanks for settling before aging. 70% of the wine was aged in used French oak barrels, and 30% in large oak casks (foudres), for a period of 10 months. This combination of aging vessels allowed the wine to integrate its fruit intensity with a gentle oak influence, maintaining its vibrant and fresh profile.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep violet with brilliant highlights.
  • Aroma: Intense and inviting, with notes of blueberries, plums, and a touch of black pepper, complemented by subtle hints of sweet spice.
  • Palate: Medium-bodied with a soft, rounded texture. Flavors of ripe black fruit are balanced by a vibrant acidity, while the fine, ripe tannins add a velvety structure. The finish is smooth and refreshing, with lingering fruit and spice notes.

Did You Know?

De Martino was the first winery in Chile to label a wine as Carmenere in 1996, establishing a legacy of innovation and excellence with this iconic varietal. Their commitment to sustainability and respect for traditional winemaking methods has made them a leader in showcasing Chile’s rich winemaking heritage.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled lamb chops with mint sauce: The wine’s ripe fruit and peppery notes complement the savory richness of lamb and the freshness of mint.
  • Roasted pork loin with plum chutney: Its vibrant acidity and fruit-forward palate enhance the sweetness and depth of the chutney.
  • Mushroom risotto: The earthy and spicy tones of the wine harmonize beautifully with the umami flavors of the dish.
  • Aged Manchego cheese: The wine’s structure and fruit intensity pair well with the nutty, salty flavors of the cheese.

History of De Martino

Founded in 1934 by Italian immigrant Pietro De Martino Pascualone, the winery remains a family-run operation, now managed by the fourth generation of the De Martino family. Over the decades, De Martino has grown from a small Maipo Valley vineyard to a pioneering force in Chilean winemaking.

In the 1990s, De Martino became the first winery in Chile to label a wine as Carmenere, reintroducing this forgotten varietal to the global wine community. Since then, they have focused on exploring and revitalizing historic vineyards across Chile, ranging from the Itata Valley in the south to Limarí in the north.

Their philosophy emphasizes low-intervention winemaking and sustainability. The use of large foudres, natural fermentation, and native yeasts ensures that their wines reflect the purity of their terroirs.

Region and Vineyards

De Martino is based in Isla de Maipo, part of the renowned Maipo Valley, often referred to as the "Bordeaux of South America" for its excellence in producing structured reds, particularly Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Beyond Maipo, De Martino sources grapes from 15 distinct vineyard sites spread across Chile’s diverse terroirs, including:

  • Itata Valley: Home to century-old bush vines of Cinsault and Muscat, offering bright, fresh wines.
  • Limarí Valley: Known for its limestone soils, producing mineral-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
  • Maule Valley: The heart of dry-farmed Carignan and historic varietals, including their acclaimed Vigno.

De Martino’s vineyards are cultivated with sustainable practices, focusing on dry farming, organic methods, and minimal intervention to respect the natural environment.

Wine Range of De Martino

De Martino offers a diverse portfolio of wines, each emphasizing the unique characteristics of their vineyards:

  • Single Vineyard Wines: Iconic wines like La Cancha (Cabernet Sauvignon) and Alto de Piedras (Carmenere) that highlight individual terroirs.
  • Old Vine Heritage Series: Wines like Viejas Tinajas (Cinsault) and Vigno (Carignan) that honor Chile’s historic, dry-farmed vineyards.
  • Legado Reserva: A range of expressive and elegant varietal wines, including Carmenere, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
  • Estate Collection: Everyday wines that showcase De Martino’s dedication to quality and value.
  • Special Projects: Unique bottlings, such as limited-edition amphora-aged wines, exploring ancient winemaking techniques.

Did You Know?

De Martino was the first winery in Latin America to become carbon neutral, a reflection of their deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Their use of amphorae, one of the oldest winemaking methods, ties them to Chile’s ancient traditions while pushing boundaries in modern winemaking.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2022)

Robert Parker (RP) : 90 Points (2022)
The 2022 Legado Carmenere was produced with grapes from Maipo that fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in old barrels (70%) and 5,000-liter foudres for seven months. It has similar parameters as the 2021 I tasted next to it, moderate 13.5% alcohol and good freshness, but it feels a little creamier and rounder, fruit-driven and straightforward. 13,303 bottles were filled in November 2022.

De Martino Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018
De Martino Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018
De Martino
Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018
RP
94
JS
94
Crafted with precision and aged in large foudres for 24 months, this wine combines silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a structure capable of evolving gracefully over the next two decades.
27,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Vigno Old Vines Carignan 2021
De Martino Vigno Old Vines Carignan 2021
De Martino
Vigno Old Vines Carignan 2021
RP
96
VN
93
JS
91
De Martino Vigno Old Vines Carignan is a bold and expressive wine, highlighting the rich heritage of dry-farmed, old-vine Carignan from Chile’s Maule Valley, with a touch of Malbec and Cinsault for added complexity.
43,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Legado Chardonnay 2023
De Martino Legado Chardonnay 2023
De Martino
Legado Chardonnay 2023
RP
90
De Martino Legado Chardonnay captures the essence of the Limarí Valley with its vibrant citrus, saline notes, and a creamy texture, perfectly showcasing the influence of the region’s calcareous soils.
18,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Single Vineyard La Cancha Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
De Martino Single Vineyard La Cancha Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
De Martino
Single Vineyard La Cancha Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
RP
93
De Martino La Cancha Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant and structured expression of Isla de Maipo, offering a balance of ripe cherry fruit, herbal undertones, and finely polished tannins. Its name, "La Cancha," honors the vineyard’s past as a soccer field before it was planted with Cabernet Sauvignon in 1999.
27,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Legado Pinot Noir 2020
De Martino Legado Pinot Noir 2020
De Martino
Legado Pinot Noir 2020
RP
92
This Pinot Noir highlights crisp acidity, fine chalky tannins, and a long, lingering finish, showcasing the dedication of De Martino to crafting terroir-driven wines.
18,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Viejas Tinajas Cinsault 2021
De Martino Viejas Tinajas Cinsault 2021
De Martino
Viejas Tinajas Cinsault 2021
RP
92
RP
94
W&S
95
De Martino Viejas Tinajas Cinsault is a unique and vibrant expression of Chile’s Itata Valley, crafted entirely from Cinsault grapes and honoring the country’s ancient winemaking traditions. This wine is notable for its bright red fruit, floral aromatics, and an earthy minerality that captures the essence of the Guarilihue terroir.
29,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
De Martino Las Olvidadas Guarilihue Mezcla Tinta 2021
De Martino Las Olvidadas Guarilihue Mezcla Tinta 2021
De Martino
Las Olvidadas Guarilihue Mezcla Tinta 2021
RP
94
De Martino Las Olvidadas is a vibrant and complex field blend of País (80%) and the rare San Francisco (20%), showcasing the unique heritage of Itata Valley, Chile. This wine is light-bodied yet deeply structured, offering a blend of red fruit, floral, and herbal notes.
44,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
18,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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