Deep ruby color; raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, plum, chocolate, tobacco on the nose and palate.
Dry; silky tannins with good balancing acidity (3.59 pH). Medium-plus body. Blend of 95% cab franc, 3% petit verdot, 2% carménère. Aged 12 months in French oak. Interestingly, does not have the herbaceous, bell pepper notes often found in cab franc, while other vintages from this maker did. Nice structure and drinkability, especially at this price point. Yet another proof that Chile delivers superb value. 14% ABV
Grapes come from a vineyard block located between the Chimbarongo Creek and the Tinguirica River on the Maquis Estate in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, the honey spot for Chilean cab franc wines. The location allows for a long growing season. There is impressive diurnal shift, an essential is developing ripe fruit accompanied by acidity—a result of the juxtaposition of the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, a signature factor in Chilean wines.
Calcu means “healing doctor” in Mapudungún, the language of the indigenous people of the Mapuche region of Chile. The winery’s mission is to create wines that emphasize the diversity of Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The Calcu winery was built in 2002. Viñedos Calcu and Viña Maquis share the facility. Their focus is sustainability and state-of-the-art technology. All wine is transported by gravity to preserve aromas and polyphenols. Fermentation vats are different sizes so each batch of juice is fermented separately. Temperatures are controlled using the winery’s geothermal plant.
The winery website notes: “Viñedos Calcu is a winery project associated with the Hurtado Vicuña family, who, following their experience in the production of premium wines at Viña Maquis, now seek to produce wines of even higher quality.”
Ricardo Rivadeneira Hurtado is the general manager and winemaker. He studied in London and Santiago and earned degrees in agronomy and winemaking. He then worked at Charles Krug in Napa and Chateau Branaire-Ducru in France. He became the general manager of Viñedos Calcu in 2004. The website notes: “His contribution has been key to the conception and development of the vineyard on the Calcu estate in Marchigüe and in the definition of its wines.”
Rodrigo Romero is the head winemaker. He has a degree in agronomy from Universidad Católica de Valparaíso with a specialization in fruit farming and postgraduate studies in wine technology and production. He has worked at several Chilean wineries including Cavas Sumarinas, Veramonte, and Dos Andes. Outside Chile, he has worked at wineries such as Pierre Bourée Domain, Patrick Piuze Domain and Jean Marc Brocard in Burgundy, France; Fattoria Nittardi, Castellina in Chianti, and Cascina Feipu dei Massaretti di Parodi Agostino & Css in Italy; and at the Franciscan Estate Winery in Napa.
Calcu Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc, Marchigüe Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2020—fully delivers the red wine value that is hallmark feature of Chilean wine. This is not overly complex or extraordinary, but is good QPR (quality-price ratio). Varietally correct without the bell pepper herbaceousness. Pair with grilled meats; steaks, lamb; pasta dishes with tomato sauces; pork, sausages; barbecue; chorizo. Cheese—feta, gorgonzola, fontina, manchego, aged gouda, comté. $15-17
