Villalobos 2019 'Lobo' Carmenere, Lolol

Villalobos 2019 'Lobo' Carmenere, Lolol

Item Number: 18191

UPC: 2-002171777895

Country: Chile
Region: Central Valley
Sub Region: Colchagua
Appellation/AVA: Colchagua Valley
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vintage: 2019
Grape(s): 100% Carmenere
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Clay with quartz
Elevation: 330 feet

Vineyard Notes: Trained on espalier, the vines at this 20-year old vineyard grow in quartz-laden clay soil in the Lolol micro-terroir, a subsector of the Colchagua Valley. 20 miles from the Pacific coast and 330 feet above sea level, the vineyard is nestled in a warm, temperate climate where the dry season lasts six to eight months out of the year. Diurnal shifts can be up to 20 degrees, which fosters ripening and sugar concentration.

Winemaking Notes: Carmenere ferments spontaneously with indigenous yeast in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally during the spring in stainless-steel tanks. The 'Lobo' is aged in steel and is bottled without fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes: The 'Lobo' presents as a shade of clear, reddish purple with violet hues. The nose reveals a hint of ripe, macerated cherries followed by a trace of green pepper. Marked acidity and smooth tannins compliment a lush, fruit forward palate with earthy complexity. Enjoy with spicier dishes, including Indian and Thai food.

91pts (2020 Vintage) Wine Advocate 8/31/2021
"The wild and "natural" 2020 Lobo Carmenere is very different from your average Carmenere—juicy, with moderate ripeness and very earthy. In reality, the Carmenere is blended with some País and Carignan (Colchagua) and was bottled unoaked. It's direct, primary and produced with as little manipulation as possible. 6,442 bottles were filled in October 2020."

Reviews

  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 91 (2/28/2020)
    The spicy and herbal 2019 Lobo Carmenere is intensely varietal in the new style of Carmenere, not ashamed of the character of the grape without recurring to very high maturity, extraction or oak. Furthermore, this is bottled at 13% alcohol and completely unoaked. It's peppery and juicy, with the naked variety in the foreground, medium-bodied and with mellow acidity. This comes from vines that are dry-farmed and was produced with minimal intervention and low added sulfites. 6,800 bottles were filled in January 2020.
  • Descorchados
    Rating: 91 (2/23/2021)
    For this carménère, Villalobos buys grapes from a 20-year-old vineyard located about 30 kilometers from the coast, in the Lolol area. Without passing through wood, this is a pure expression of the variety, especially the more fruity side. Without the herbal side of the grape taking center stage, here it is the ripe and sweet red fruit that appears in the foreground. The texture is soft. Ready to drink now with cheeses and cold cuts.