Vintage charts 1997 - 2009

After a mild spring and dry conditions throughout the summer and autumn, there was little to no rainfall throughout the season which resulted in higher temperatures during ripening. This is especially true for the Central & Southern regions. Thanks to drip irrigation where necessary and excellent canopy management we were able to achieve outstanding grape quality. For the white varieties yields were increased slightly as bunches were larger and heavier than in the previous short vintages, especially so for the Sauvignon Blanc variety. The dry conditions meant that the harvest season was extended for the red varieties. Some were harvested early to retain the freshness of the variety, whereas other later-ripening grapes could be picked later once they had reached their optimum ripeness; Carmenère is particularly successful in this vintage.

Slightly warmer than the previous 2007 vintage the grapes were consistently good weight and with a well balanced structure. The winter of 2007 was the coldest Chile had seen for the past forty years with lots of frosty days and less rainfall than the average. These frosts led to some damage on the vines for some varieties in some areas. Vines began budding later than usual years due to the harsh winter, and once the buds had appeared they were prolific, which led to extensive working on the vines de-budding. After the harsh winter October and November were unseasonably warm, this speeded up the process between bud-break and blooming of the vines. The white varieties were harvested within the average times, grape bunches were smaller and lighter than previous years. Really good quality with reduced yields for some varieties including Chardonnay. The red varieties harvest started slightly later, as with the white grapes, bunches were smaller and lighter particularly for Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dry and cool with low yields, giving concentrated, pure, vibrant and balanced wines. Deemed throughout the industry as an Historic vintage due the perfect climatic conditions. Less loaded vines meant that yields were drastically reduced, along with our vineyard management systems this led directly to fruit being outstandingly concentrated. On average temperatures registered cooler than usual, this meant that the fruit managed to ripen gradually and could be picked in their optimum condition, this led to more elegant, smooth and beautifully coloured wines. A distinct lack of rainfall throughout the harvest season allowed our winemakers to wait until the best possible moment to begin the harvest. This vintage tended to favour red varieties slightly more than their counterparts.

Elegant and balanced wines with less alcohol than on average were produced after a long, cool and dry season. A healthy yield was reported from most regions with harvest starting later in most cases of varieties than in previous vintages. Harvest commenced later than usual as although the grapes were technically ripe, it took slightly longer for the skins to develop a mature tannic structure. The fact that the weather remained consistently good meant that the winemakers could wait until optimum ripeness to be picked, the quality of the wine all the better for it. Colour concentration for the red varieties was immense and the tannins well ripened and round, pH was lower than most other years. The white varieties showed excellent varietal character with varying levels of concentration.

The dry cool spring and warm temperate summer gave way to fruity wines with excellent concentration and good acidity. The freshness of the wines is an outstanding quality of this vintage; fruit driven, mineral qualities especially favouring the white varietals. The vintage has been likened to a more Mediterranean style, less tropical fruit flavour dominated.

The red wine varietals faired particularly well too; excellent depth of colour, full bodied and a deep characterful The balance of sugar and acidity worked well as the grapes ripened slowly on the vines under milder than normal temperatures. No rainfall at harvest time meant that we were able to wait until optimum ripening.

Cool dry start and warm wet finish to the season, good whites but less concentrated lighter reds.

Dry cool start and warm dry finish to the season, producing ripe, concentrated, structured wines, slightly lacking in freshness.

Cool cloudy season, wetter south of Cachapoal. Higher yields, less concentration.

Dry, warm season, low yields, concentrated structured wines. Valle de Maipo was outstanding.

Cool wet season yielding diluted grapes with rot issues.

Drought conditions, giving concentrated, structured, rustic wines.

Wet season, leading to dilution and rot in the grapes.

Drought conditions, giving concentrated, structured, rustic wines.

An early frost in April 2008 had an impact on the yields of 2009. Following a more temperate winter, spring was warm with sunnier climes which provided an excellent berry set. December saw some heavy hailstorms which resulted in significant crop losses. This was followed in early summer by some rain, however from February onwards hot and dry weather predominated, bringing a promising harvest forward by ten to twelve days throughout Mendoza.

Red varieties displayed elevated potential alcohol levels and perfectly ripe tannins. Malbec grapes, followed by Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda and Merlot delivered marvellous varietal expression, leading to supple, harmonious and delicate wines full of rich colour.

Uco Valley’s exceptional climate conditions heightened the grapes capacity for creating wines with a longer aging potential; Chardonnay especially among whites and Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon among red varieties.

The crop-cycle 2007-2008 fluctuated considerably. It demanded the keen skills of viticulturists and winemakers that, even with meteorological obstacles, managed to arrive at excellent results.

The winter was one of the most severe of the recent past. Five heavy snowfalls impacted at the foothills of the Andes very close to our vineyards. The spring period brought warmer and more balanced weather that allowed vines to display their highest quality potential.

January and February were wetter than previous years. February registered only seven or eight sunny days and approximately 100 mm of rain. This affected the quality of white grapes. However, acute winemaking work at the cellar granted high varietal expression and elegant but weak tannins. The weather did not affect red grape varieties quality, mainly because they had not reached complete ripening. The slight summer heat gained juicy, round and muscular tannins. An early frost in April sped up the last of the Cabernet and Malbec harvests.

A very promising vintage for Argentine viticulture, particularly in Mendoza, as the results were most pleasing in spite of late rains.

Abundant snowfall in the high Andes assured the oasis sufficient water for irrigation. Lower down on the plain, the benign winter and fresh spring, devoid of late frosts, meant flowering and fruit set provided bigger clusters of grapes.

Heat in December and January brought forward early ripening varieties, such as Tempranillo, Merlot, Pinot Noir and the whites. The vineyards with the fullest inter-row cover crop withstood the heat wave best, producing grapes with a very good ratio of sugar to acidity. And although part of Luján de Cuyo was struck by hailstorms, netting ensured grape quality was unaffected. East of Mendoza, the later ripening varieties, particularly Bonarda, developed exceptionally well. Intermittent rains made getting the harvest in tricky, but the grapes arrived at the cellar healthy all the same.

In Luján de Cuyo and Maipú, Malbec’s personality and the Cabernet Sauvignon’s potential came through the late rains unscathed. At our vineyard in Tupangato, Los Ponchos, we achieved really fruity and mineral Syrah.

The white wines are expressive, elegant and fresh, revealing good varietal characteristics. The reds, on the other hand, achieved good colour and concentration with ripe, smooth tannins.

It was an extraordinarily healthy harvest due to the scarcity of rain. Frost and hail were rare during the dangerous months, leading to a good production. Not only was Nature on our side but the labour done in the vineyards throughout 2005 also helped maintain the desired quality.

2006 vintage is considered one of the Mendoza’s greatest vintage of this century.

Excellent climate conditions allowed a very slow maturation, delaying the harvest of some grapes. White grapes harvest started at the beginning of February, allowing musts of exact acidity, sugar content and typical aromas of each variety. Because of controlled irrigation we have achieved an exceptional balance in the vines.

As we knew 2005 would be a dry and hot year we took care of over-insolation of the fruit. Deep colour, excellent ripening of the tannins and high potential alcohol were the characteristics of red grapes.

Cool, long season, warm finish, yielding complex wines with excellent balance and ageability.

Warm dry Zonda wind produced concentrated dark Malbecs. Late rains affected some Cabernet Sauvignons.

Long dry warm season producing healthy fruit-driven ripe wines with deep colour and fine tannins.

Cold winter, hot summer. Concentrated, complex, good acidic balance, ripe tannins.

Cool growing season with some rain and hail during the harvest, smaller berries avoided dilution.

Cool, long, at times wet season with dry warm finish. Fruity wines, good acidity, ripe tannins.

Very dry warm season producing low yields. Concentrated ripe wines, good tannic structure.

El Niño produced a wash-out, leading to dilute rot-affected wines.

Very dry hot season produced big wines with rustic tannins.