Our Chilean producer Viu Manent have just received more recognition for their Single Vineyard and ViBo ranges from James Suckling. Employing environmentally sustainable working practices, they produce distinctive vineyard driven wines and have a real understanding and respect for the special terroirs of the Colchagua Valley.
These wines come from Viu Manent's three vineyards in the Colchagua Valley.
San Carlos is their oldest site, first established in the 19th century with vines brought from France before the outbreak of Phyloxerra. San Carlos Malbec and ViBo Vinedo Cenentario come from this vineyard,
Viu Manent's other two vineyards were established inthe 1990s when the family looked to the east to find unexplored areas with great conditions for grape growing. El Olivar is the home of the Single Vineyard Syrah and Punta del Viento and is located in the foot hills of the Coastal Range mountains, here Rhone varieties are thriving. Completely different soil conditions a few kilometres away in La Capilla are give ideal conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon.
The following reviews were all published on www.jamessuckling.com
92 points, "A nose with fruit and complexity. Good finesse and density too. There's a savoury and pronounced palate with this wine."
91 points, "I love the dark chocolate, mineral and lead pencil aromas with dark fruits."
El Olivar Alto Syrah 2011
92 points, "Attractuve slate, blackberry and cracked black pepper aromas follow through to a full body with firm silky tannins and a long, flavourful finish. Hermitage-like."
Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
92 points, "Aromas of blueberries, spearmint and dried flowers and dark chocolate follow through to a full body with fine taniins.....Very refined and beautiful now."
Cabernet, Malbec, Petit Verdot
91 points "This has orange skin plus red fruits, some white flowers and mint. Dark chocolate too.....Salty with vanilla character on the finish."