Errázuriz Estate Merlot 2012 Wine Review

Errázuriz Estate Merlot 2012

Curico Valley, Chile

Community Score:87/100

Community Reviews: 2

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Price: $12.95

Drink: 2016-2015

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Errázuriz

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 87/100

A round, supple, full-bodied red with juicy ripe aromas of black plums and berries. Perfect for casual get-togethers and backyard barbecues.

This Errázuriz Estate Merlot 2012 was reviewed on July 20, 2010 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2008

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
297887
$12.95
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BCLDB
297887
$14.00
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SAQ
297887
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Reviews and Ratings

Vineyard
Merlot Estate comes from vineyards in the Curicó Valley. Most have sandy-loam soils with moderate to high vigour. The local climate has cold, rainy winters and a long, dry growing season with warm to hot afternoons, cool nights, and frequent morning fogs. This combination delays ripening and helps produce intense flavours and good concentration in the grapes. The Curicó Valley has ideal conditions for developing distinctive primary flavour profiles that lend interesting fruit intensity to the blends. The vertically positioned vineyards are spur-pruned and mechanically irrigated.

Winemaking
The manual harvest took place primarily in April and May and transported to the winery in bins, where 100% of the grapes were destemmed and gently crushed into stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation took place at 26°–30°C (79°–86°F) with 2 pumpovers per day. Post-fermentation maceration times depended upon the development of the individual lots and ranged from 12–25 days of total skin contact. Up to a third of the wine was aged in 1–3-year-old French and American oak barrels for approximately 6 to 8 months, which helped round out the wine and contributed a sweet mouthfeel. After the final blend was made, the wine was fined and lightly filtered before bottling.

Winemaker's Comments
Bright cherry-red in colour, our Estate Merlot offers an interesting combination of red fruit, spice, and balsamic notes on the nose. Cherry and black pepper aromas intertwine with a bit of bay leaf and cloves, as well as a light touch of smoke from the oak. The medium-bodied palate shows a predominance of firm tannins that lend grip and structure. Fruit and toasty flavours combine with well-balanced acidity for a refreshing wine with good texture and a pleasing finish.

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Errázuriz Estate Merlot 2012 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 87/100

Pricing & Stock Information