Pale copper color; strawberry, mango, plum, flowers on the nose; strawberry, honeydew melon; red plum on the palate.
Dry; light body; fresh and fruity. No tannins; good, refreshing acidity (3.2 pH); some tang on the mid-palate and extended finish. Blend of 65% malbec, 35% petit verdot. Grapes hand picked, crushed into temperature-controlled vessels, no skin maceration. Rested on the lees, used non-cerevisiae yeast to avoid use of SO2. Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel. No malolactic fermentation. 12.5% ABV
Grapes come from the Ramadilla Estate in the rolling hills of the Marchigüe. The vineyards get ocean breezes from the Pacific, moderating temperatures during the growing season, lowering yields, and concentrating fresh fruit flavors. The malbec delivers aromatics, while the petit verdot provides body and length. 2022 was a cool, dry vintage which produced balance and concentration, along with excellent color.
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.
Calcu Gran Reserva Rosé Malbec 2022 is a clean, refreshing, with delicious red fruits, particularly strawberry. Nice blend of mostly malbec abetted by petit verdot. Restrained alcohol, dry, balanced. Good acidity gives it lifting intensity and mouthwatering finish. Pair with poultry; lighter beef dishes; veal; lamb; venison; salmon and other seafood; freshwater fish. Cheese—fresh cheeses, mixed milk cheeses, soft goat cheeses; burrata, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, rocchetta. $14-18
