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Located about 100 miles southwest of Santiago, the Colchagua Valley is approximately 80 miles long and averages 25 miles in width. It enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate matched in only a few other places on earth. The average annual rainfall, which occurs mostly in the winter months of May to August, is about 25 inches. Humidity is low, and frost is unknown. Towering above the Valley to the east are the mighty Andes, including the 4,280 foot Tinguiririca Volcano. Melting snow feeds the Tinguiririca River, which rises at the foot of the volcano and carries pure water to the valley below. This state-of-the-art winery has all that it takes to make outstanding wines: high technology, pneumatic presses, stainless steel tanks, filters and pumps, automated bottling and labeling line, and barrel cellar with automatic humidity and temperature control systems. The winery is located in the home estate "Fundo San Jorge" in the Colchagua Valley.This 800,000 case facility is equipped with several small, medium and big capacity tanks that can store a remarkable selection of wines. Chile, with its two mountain ranges, takes on different flavor profile than Argentina. Vintners are starting to think outside the Cabernet and Carmenere box and experimenting with red varietals like Merlot. It may take some trial and error, guaranteed a lot of soil and climatic studies, in addition to playing with sun exposition as to where to plant the vines. However, there are vineyards in all the major wine valleys of Chile now hitting its spot on with Merlot as this selection will attest. This wine is large and luscious with licorice and tobacco notes and a dense bing cherry component. This is the top of the Vina Sutil line and it shows in the breed and sheer persistence of this wine on the palate. If you love Merlot, you will love this wine. If you don't, this will change your mind. A must with charred steak from the BBQ, with peppers and onions. March Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
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