De Martino Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018

De Martino Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018

 

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De Martino
Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras Carmenere 2018
  • Vintage : 2018
  • Country : Chile
  • Region : Maipo
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Rich and Spicy
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Carménère

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.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94 2018
JS James Suckling 94 2017
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Maipo Valley, particularly the Isla de Maipo sub-region, is renowned for its ideal conditions for growing Carmenere. The Alto de Piedras vineyard, planted in 1992, lies on an alluvial terrace rich in gravel with just the right amount of clay, ensuring excellent drainage and balanced vine growth.

The Mediterranean climate of the region, with its cool breezes and dry autumns, allows for gradual ripening, enhancing the depth and complexity of the grapes. The 2018 vintage benefited from optimal weather conditions, making it one of the finest in the past decade.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-harvested on April 17, 2018, ensuring careful selection at peak ripeness. After 100% destemming, the wine underwent a wild fermentation in stainless steel tanks, preserving the natural character of the fruit. A 10-day post-fermentative maceration followed, extracting fine tannins and additional complexity.

Malolactic fermentation was completed in the tank, and the wine was matured in 2,500-liter foudres for an extended period of 24 months. This gentle aging approach allowed the wine to develop a harmonious balance between its fruit, tannins, and acidity while maintaining its vibrant freshness.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep garnet red with a vibrant hue.
  • Aroma: Rich and layered, featuring notes of blackberries, plums, spices, and tobacco, with a subtle graphite minerality.
  • Palate: Fine, silky tannins provide a broad and elegant texture. Ripe black fruit flavors are balanced by fresh acidity, leading to a long, complex finish. This wine’s structure suggests excellent aging potential for the next 20 years.

Did You Know?

The Alto de Piedras vineyard is part of the same terroir where the first Chilean Carmenere was produced, reflecting a deep connection to the history of this iconic varietal in Chile.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Slow-roasted beef with rosemary and garlic: The wine’s herbal and tobacco notes enhance the savory richness of the beef.
  • Wild mushroom risotto: Its earthy flavors and vibrant acidity pair beautifully with the umami of the mushrooms.
  • Grilled lamb chops with mint sauce: The wine’s structure complements the richness of the lamb, while its acidity balances the freshness of the mint.
  • Aged Gouda or Manchego: The creamy texture and nutty flavors of aged cheese harmonize with the wine’s tannins and fruit intensity.

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.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2018)
The spicier 2018 Single Vineyard Alto de Piedras has notes of Carmenere with good ripeness, which translates into more aromas, good purity and freshness, with a touch of paprika and red pepper, very fine tannins and a velvety texture with some chalky tannins. This is the opposite of the 2017—they harvested late after a long and slow ripening, when the grapes had the chance to develop their full aromatic and taste profile. 11,340 bottles were filled in October 2019.

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2017)
Loads of roasted herbs here, infused with dried meat, against a background of brambleberries and blueberries. Medium to full body, some nicely structured tannins and a really vibrant finish. Savory and herbal in all the right ways.

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 €
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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 €
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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 €
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De Martino Legado Carmenere 2022
De Martino Legado Carmenere 2022
De Martino
Legado Carmenere 2022
RP
90
VN
92
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.
18,90 €
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 €
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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 €
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De Martino Las Olvidadas Guarilihue Mezcla Tinta 2021
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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
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