Carter Mollenhauer 2019 'Aurora' Pais, Itata

Item Number: 18593

UPC: None

Country: Chile
Region: South Region
Sub Region: Itata
Appellation/AVA: Itata Valley
Estate Grown Wine: No
Vintage: 2019
Grape(s): 100% Pais
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 12.5
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Quartz and gray granite
Elevation: 100 meters

Vineyard Notes: Planted in the 1800s, this vineyard of 200+ year old vines of País is grown over quartz and gray granite soils in Pachagua within the Itata D.O. at an elevation of 100m and 26km from the Pacific Ocean. Vines are ungrafted and dry farmed.

Winemaking Notes: Harvested by hand. 90% whole clusters are foot trodden and fermented with native yeasts in a very delicate manner. Aging continues in the same concrete tanks without moving for 10 months. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with only a minimal amount of SO2 (14 mg/L) only at bottling.

Tasting Notes: A lively expression of Pais, this wine shows a deep earthiness met with a striking acidity. Baking spices on the nose, the finish is long and the fruit is ripe. Expressive to say the least.

Reviews

  • Descorchados
    Rating: 93 (2/23/2021)
    Pachagua is located north of the Itata River, about 26 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, but it is still a warm area, with granite soils on the slopes of the valley. Here there is a delicious, fresh red fruit (perhaps because it only gets direct sun in the morning), which is shown very clearly on the nose and also in the mouth, where there are also earthy details that give it complexity and relate it to the variety. The tannins are firm and adorably rustic. One for sausages.