Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carmenère 2018 (Chile) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon back in January, tonight's red wine review is a lovely Carmenère from the same producer and vintage. This red wine arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the March 5 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The family run winery of Cloz de Luz is situated in the Almahue Valley within the Rapel Valley D.O. in Chile's Central Valley. The Alamhue Valley is 150 km south of Santiago, 65 km west of the Pacific, and 45 km east of the Andes. The winery and vineyards are naturally walled in by the Mancuman Hill, benefiting from the early morning sun and cooler afternoons with the Pacific Ocean breeze. The vineyards were planted in 1945 by the family's Grandmother Luz, have been part of the family for five generations, and are now among the oldest in Chile. Today, the estate is owned by the Edwards Cosmelli branch of the family and with 33 hectares of estate vineyards, the principal focus is on crafting elegant, quality wines in a non-interventionist style with freshness and subtle use of oak to enhance the natural fruity character of the wines.

Like the Cabernet Sauvignon, this Carmenère also includes 5% Syrah and is from Clos de Luz's Massal 1945 range of wines. The Massal range is named because of the old and rigorous technique used in the vineyard to select the best vines in a vineyard and propagating them through cuttings - it is the opposite of clonal propagation. As such, all of their vineyards are ungrafted and non-clonal. The grapes are sustainably grown and ploughed by horses, while also aiming to conserve the natural diversity of the plants to create more complex and unique wines.

The grapes for this wine are from the Amalhue Valley - an area considered the birthplace of Carmenère. From vines planted in 1945 on granitic soils with quartz components of volcanic origin, the grapes were manually harvested. After gentle extraction, the juice was spontaneously fermented using native yeasts. After fermentation, it was aged for 12 months, with 50% aged in 4,000 L Gamba French oak tanks, 44% in 225 and 300 L French oak barrels, and 6% in new 600 L Sylvain French oak barrels. From a brilliant 2018 vintage, let's see how this Chilean Carmenère is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CLOS DE LUZ MASSAL 1945 CARMENÈRE 2018 - Almahue, DO Valle de Cachapoal, Chile (#11861) (XD) - $24.95
A blend of 95% Carmenère and 5% Syrah, the fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers herbaceous, leafy green notes sitting atop currant, cassis, and savoury earth aromas with hints of minerality. On the medium-full bodied palate it has lovely, fresh acidity that lifts the clean red and black fruits, cassis, and currant flavours which interplay nicely with the herbaceous, savoury, and spice tones. Really nicely balanced with supple, lightly textured tannins. Juicy, earthy, and minerally on the long, balanced and fresh finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

The Cabernet is available at the LCBO, while other wines from the Clos de Luz portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Touchstone Brands.