We are excited to welcome Clos de Luz to our shelves, a producer from Chile that is new to our Direct Import program, but definitely not new to the game. Their family has owned their estate south of Santiago since 1892, and their vines are among the oldest Carménère in the world, from a valley known as the birthplace of Carménère in Chile. These bona fides help them create vibrantly rich reds with depth of flavor that operate on a tightrope of acidity.
Gabriel Edwards is at the helm of this estate, purchased by his great grandfather and then planted to vines in 1945 by his grandmother, Luz. They’re located in the Almahue Valley in Central Chile, a sub region of Rapel Valley that lies about 70 miles southeast of Santiago in the sweet spot for Carmenere. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean (40 miles to the west) and the Andes (28 miles to the east), it’s a wonderful spot for grapes, with cooling breezes, cold nights, and warm gorgeous days. That good ol’ diurnal shift contributes to complexity and acidity, while the natural conditions of Chile—low humidity, 100-percent phylloxera free—means they can farm organically on ungrafted rootstock without clonal material and with very low intervention in the cellar. If you want to taste the heart and soul of Chile, unmitigated, it’s in these wines.
We’re carrying a broad range from these folks, and, in addition to representing the essence of Chile, they all come in at under $20.
The 2017 Arao Carménère has floral notes and candied violet on the nose with sweet mocha flavors on the palate. The 2017 "Massal 1945" Carménère has a touch more complexity with full plum flavors underlined by green poblano savoriness. The 2017 “Azuda” Syrah is a ripe, blackberry-driven, silky wine with cocoa powder, dried lavender notes, espresso, spice, and plums on the plate. It’s clean and well made with a sweetness to the fruit character and grippy tannins. The 2017 “Massal 1945” Malbec proves that Argentina does not have the market on Malbec. This bottle from Clos de Luz has sweet chocolate hedonism, but a bright freshness, and some delicious underlying herbal notes. The 2017 “Massal 1945” Cabernet Sauvignon shows classic varietal character with ripe fruit and a peppery undercurrent. It’s juicy and immediately appealing. Pop this open with a burger tonight.
The connecting factor among these reds is ripe, fully realized fruit, immediate accessibility, with underlying complexity that keeps you going back for more. These definitely hit their mark.
- Kate Soto