Almaviva Epu Puente Alto DO 2021

"Epu" is the second wine of the Almaviva estate, the name meaning "Two" in the Mapuche language, one of the main indigenous cultures of southern Chile. The symbol depicted on the label refers to the tupu, an ornament that expresses fundamental aspects of the worldview of various ancient Andean civilizations. "Epu" is a Bordeaux-style blend, predominantly featuring Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness, fully destemmed, pressed, and fermented at controlled temperatures in steel tanks following cold maceration. All processes are carried out using a gravity method. Before aging, a small amount of press juice is added to the blend. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (10% new, 90% second fill) for 12 months. The 2021 vintage was bottled in January 2023. It is recommended to consume the wine from 2024 to 2030. The spring of 2021 was warm, with bud break and flowering occurring 5-7 days earlier than usual. The summer was cool, especially after unexpected rain in January. The summer temperature was 1 °C below average. The January rains played a key role in homogenizing the grape ripening process, especially after uneven flowering and fruit set. Although everything hinted at an early harvest, it began on March 24, as usual. Cooler conditions from January to harvest ensured optimal ripening, magnificent fruitiness, and freshness of the grapes, tension, length, and perfect balance of the wines. 2021 is an exceptional and unique vintage with magnificent freshness and outstanding varietal expressiveness.