Viña Carmen - Chile
A new range of exciting chilean wines
As the oldest winery in Chile, founded in 1850, Viña Carmen’s reputation is not to be made. With a gigantic production and incredibly affordable products, it’s even easier to remember the name. However, as extended as it is, Viña Carmen has still managed to be considered as one of the most forward-thinking and contemporary in its wine style. They’ve made history multiple times, but most notably as the one winery to discover Carmenére in their vineyards, reinstating this varietal in the wine world to become an emblematic variety not only for Carmen but Chile ever since. Emily Faulconer is chief Winemaker since 2017. Hey youth, dynamism, and outstanding knowledge and passion for the terroir of Chile was the source for the new range of wines called Carmen DO, something never seen before. Carmen DO seeks to innovate with new strains and terroirs, vitalizing the vineyard in order to show the grape at its best, without further intervention in the winery. Dedicated about creating a more complex appellation system in Chile, Emily Faulconer has already done a lot for the region. Alongside the Carmen DO project, she’s been actively working on picking dates, bringing harvest forward in order to produce fresher styles of wine. Working with special vineyards, you can only treat them as special. Old vineyards such as the Quijada in Apalta need delicate attention to bring out the best.
These are unique wines based on five pillars: A terroir identity and specific DO, original varieties, minimum intervention and sustainable approach, from grape growers based on long-term contracts, and Quality. These are wines limited in quantity but bursting with interest from amazing old vines vineyard they carefully selected for the terroir-driven potential.
While Cabernet Sauvignon is still the most planted variety in Chile, producers tend to get excited by the resurgence of native grapes and any kind of experimentation, Carmen having a step in front of everyone. However, while looking to new trends, they also have an eye on tradition. Cabernet is believed to have been among the grapes shipped over during the mid-19th century after Chile was granted independence from Spain. A project is underway, to clean and evaluate the actual old massal selection of the first Cabernets to set foot on Chilean ground. It’s all about creating a brand new image for the New World, based on history and heritage.
Carmen Do, Quijada 2017, Semillón D.O. Colchagua Valley
A 100% Semillón with a tremendous texture and powerful phenolics. It’s bright, it’s vibrant, it’s full-bodied and extremely complex with aromas of almonds, wet rocks, white flowers, citrus and everything fresh.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Carmen Do Cinsault 2018 Loma Seca
Made from dry-farmed, bush-trained, old familyowned vineyards, this very juicy and expressive Cinsault has a majority of lovely floral aromas, plush cherries, rich prunes, strawberries and fresh raspberries. The acidity is outstanding making it, long, persistent in a very easy and pleasant way.
Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)
Carmen Do, Melozal El Bajo 2017, Portuguais Bleu - Maule
If you’ve never heard of the varietal Portuguais Bleu, don’t worry, it’s normal. This grape variety can be found on a limited parcel of 4 hectares in the Maule DO and also as bulk wines in Germany, but that’s about it. It’s an intense yet very closed up wine with original character of soy sauce, minerals and blood sausage. It’s an intriguing and unique wine, with a rustic character and somewhat of a heavy palate.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)