Caliterra Petreo Carmenere

Caliterra derives its name from the Spanish calidad or ‘quality’ and tierra ‘land’, combining a passion for viticulture and winemaking to produce environmentally friendly wines of typicity, reflecting their terroir.

The home of Caliterra is the spectacular 1,030ha estate in the heart of Colchagua, a protected valley southeast of Lago Rapel. A total of 250ha have been planted to vine of a possible 415ha. The whole estate is managed with the utmost respect to sustainable agricultural practices; not only in the vineyard itself but the surrounding bush land as well, where the grazing of wild horses helps reduce the risk of fire.

High quality grapes are sourced from Caliterra’s vineyards in Curicó and Casablanca. The best of the high density and terraced vineyards on the Colchagua estate provide fruit for the Tributo reds while the Tributo whites come from the cooler Casablanca. The roots of the brand however are firmly in the Colchagua Valley.

Caliterra has implemented various systems in the cellar in order to be increasingly more energy efficient. The most important are the use of gravity flow in all winery operations and free cooling in the barrel room.

Gravity flow consists of using gravity to rack the wines. To facilitate the process, the Caliterra cellar was built on different levels, which is approximately 20% more energy efficient than using pumps. This system prevents pressure and stress on the grapes which can generate a phenolic bitterness in the wine.

The barrel room benefits from a ‘free cooling’ concept to control temperatures. This is a semi-passive system that transfers air between the interior and exterior of the room. To lower the temperature night air is brought in from the vineyard to raise it the system uses daytime air. This is approximately 30% more efficient than conventional methods.

Vineyards

Colluvial in its origin and granitic with ferric rock alteration and schist of sedimentary-clay incrustations.

Vinification

100% barrel fermentation using native yeasts 100% aged for 18 months 100% in barrels of second and third use

Tasting Notes

This special carmenere is both intense and surprising. Its aromatic palette is very different from the one normally exhibited by this variety. It all comes from the special terroir of the rocky slope where its vines are grown. Its bouquet is completed with pleasant and fruity aromas of sour cherries and blueberries. It is juicy, bracing and sanguineous. Filled with fruitiness, with a medium yet deep structure, the unique texture of its tannins makes this wine an outspoken and elegant one, which gradually shows its whole personality as it's being served.