Odfjell Aliara 2018  £35.12

Odfjell Aliara

Founded by Norwegian Dan Odfjell this pre-dominantly red wine producer creates wines of elegance and poise.

Odfjell is fully committed to biodynamics with cover crops and beehives populating the vineyards while small Fjord horses work the land. Odfjell produces wonderful wines that few in Chile can match, with their Carignans, which come from rescued 80-year-old vines, proving to be of particular note.

Grapes come from quality vineyards and vines aged 20 to 80 years old from Cauquenes, Lontué Valley and Maipo Valley. Elimination of shoots during spring, removal of interior leaves after set and three selections of the best grape clusters, the first after set, the second on veraison and the last one before harvest. The grapes were hand-picked.

The grapes are hand-picked using 15 kg trays and 400kg bins. Destemmed, the whole berries had five to six days of cold maceration at 14°C prior to fermentation, and 15 days of maceration at 25ºC after fermentation. Selected yeasts were used during the fermentation, which took place in small tanks from 1,000 Lts (T bins) to 10,000 Lts. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place in barrels.

This wine has a concentrated deep violet colour. The nose is attractive and intense with a range of aromas from the different varieties in the blend, including dry fruit aromas such as hazelnuts, dates and dried figs, floral notes of jasmine and roses and, finally, hints of chocolate. The palate is sophisticated and intense. Juicy with the presence of chocolate, coffee and tobacco leaves. The finish is long with ripe and velvety tannins. An unforgettable experience. Try with meat with sauces, chocolate desserts (cakes, mousse). Dark chocolate.