Gran Reserva Carmenere
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted pork loin, grilled lamb chops, rich beef stews
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The story of Chilean Carmenere is one of the most captivating resurrection tales in wine history. Long thought to be extinct in its native Bordeaux after the phylloxera plague of the late 19th century, the grape survived in Chile, masquerading as Merlot for over a century until its dramatic rediscovery in 1994. Viña Morandé, a pioneer in exploring Chile's diverse terroirs, crafts its Gran Reserva Carmenere to celebrate this unique heritage. Sourced from selected vineyards in the Central Valley, where warm days and cool night breezes allow this notoriously late-ripening variety to mature slowly, the wine undergoes careful aging in oak barrels and traditional foudres. This process tempers Carmenere's natural herbal characteristics, transforming them into complex notes of roasted black pepper, dark chocolate, and sweet spices, while preserving its plush, velvety texture and vibrant black fruit core.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1996 by pioneering winemaker Pablo Morandé, Viña Morandé is a trailblazing Chilean winery renowned for its innovative spirit and commitment to expressing the country's diverse terroirs. Headquartered in Pelequén within the O'Higgins Region, the estate is celebrated for Morandé's historic role in introducing cool-climate viticulture to the Casablanca Valley. The winery employs a forward-thinking production philosophy, utilizing traditional large oak foudres, concrete eggs, and clay amphorae to craft highly expressive, minimal-intervention wines. Their acclaimed portfolio spans from the iconic, estate-grown Bordeaux-style blend House of Morandé to the terroir-driven Gran Reserva and Terrarum lines, showcasing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Sauvignon Blanc. The official estate is located at Ruta 5 Sur, Km 122, Pelequén, Malloa, O'Higgins, Chile, and more information can be found at https://www.morande.cl.