2009 Le Dix de Los Vascos

The 2009 Le Dix de Los Vascos originates from a plot of 70-year old vines known as “El Fraile,” inaugurated to commemorate ten years of Domaine Baron de Rothschild’s involvement in Chile. It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carmenere and 5% Syrah and has an ambitious bouquet of blackberry, macerated dark cherries, cocoa and dried blood. The palate is medium-bodied with furry tannins, a lot of bitter chocolate coating the dark berry fruit and a rather forceful, tannic finish that is missing some persistency in the mouth, but has the substance to suggest it will mellow and evolve more “gravitas” with time. Drink 2015-2025. It was way back in 1988 that Domaines Barons de Rothschild took over the 2,200 hectare Los Vascos estate (of which around 10% was under vine). There are now 580 hectares under vine in a single block in Colchagua on volcanic soils, both sandy-clay and granite. The Sauvignon Blanc and part of the Chardonnay come from out-sourced fruit in Leyda and Casablanca. Importer: Pasternak Wine Imports, Harrison, NY; tel. (914) 630-8200