Clos De Luz “Luz” Carmenere Almahue, Cachapoal Valley – 2021

Clos de Luz is a family-owned winery located in the revered Almahue Valley sub-district of the Cachapoal Valley, approximately 113kms South East of Santiago, 65kms from the Pacific Ocean and 45kms from the Andes Mountains. The Almahue Valley is known as the birthplace of the Carmenere grape in Chile.

The 33 hectare estate, originally purchased by current owner/winemaker Gabriel Edwards’ great grandfather in 1892, was planted with vines in 1945 by his grandmother, Luz. These are some of the oldest Carmenere vineyards in Chile, and most likely in the entire world. The grapes were sold for many years to Casa Lapostolle, one of Chile’s most famous producers, until Gabriel returned from his wine training in Burgundy and Champagne ten years ago to take over the running of the business. The vineyards are surrounded by natural “walls”, the Almahue hills, which is why the winery was named “Clos” de Luz.

This is the winery’s flagship wine, and a fine example of the heights Chilean Carmenère can reach! It’s a blend of 80% Carmenère from the best plots of their vines planted in 1945, aged for 16 months in an Austrian oak cask; 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard planted in 1956, aged in a concrete egg; and 10% Syrah aged in clay amphora.

It is dark ruby in colour and has equally deep, dark purple fruit flavours, with interesting herbal and spicy notes. The tannins are deceptively smooth but give the wine serious structure and length, whilst gentle tobacco and nutty oak flavours add more complexity on the finish. Fine, elegant and extremely impressive! 13.4% alcohol.

Enjoy with slow cooked beef

Awarded 95pts by Antonio Galloni, Vinous. Only 85 cases were produced! Drink 2025-2032