Undurraga T.H. (Terroir Hunter) Carmenere 2023
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Product description
Undurraga T.H. (Terroir Hunter) Carmenere is a highly acclaimed, terroir-driven red wine that represents a peak expression of Chile's signature grape variety.
The T.H. (Terroir Hunter) project, spearheaded by visionary head winemaker Rafael Urrejola, is an innovative initiative designed to break away from commercial, high-volume blending. The philosophy centers on hunting down small, specific micro-plots across Chile where particular grape varieties can thrive in their absolute ideal soil and microclimate. For their Carmenere, Undurraga sources fruit exclusively from the Peumo subregion within the Cachapoal Valley. Peumo is universally recognized by critics as the ultimate "Grand Cru" terroir for Chilean Carmenere.
Wine Description
This wine typically pours with a deep, concentrated ruby color.
Aromas: The nose is extraordinarily vibrant and varietally pure, displaying a complex bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, and red plums. This fruit profile is balanced by the classic savory markers of Carmenere: white peppercorn, bay leaf, fresh tobacco, and a subtle hint of red bell pepper.
Palate: On the palate, the wine has "broad shoulders" but carries immense freshness. It is full-bodied and voluptuous, offering a plush, sweet core of dark fruits beautifully framed by vibrant acidity and smooth, velvety tannins.
Finish: The finish is remarkably long and elegant, wrapping up with a lingering flourish of mocha, graphite, and baking spices.
The wine is crafted from 100% Carmenere sourced from a low-yielding plot of ungrafted vines planted in 1998. The vines sit on clay-heavy slopes mixed with decomposed granite beside the Cachapoal River. This unique clay holds water efficiently, allowing the late-ripening Carmenere grape to mature slowly and completely without losing its crucial acidity. To ensure the terroir remains the focal point, the wine is aged for roughly 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, with only a small percentage (around 20%) being new wood. It features an ABV of 14%.
