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O. Fournier Carignan Centauri 2011 750ml

size
750ml
country
Chile
region
Valle Central
appellation
Maule
WA
91
WA
91
Rated 91 by Wine Advocate
The 2011 Centauri Red Blend is made up of 30% Merlot, 25% Carignan, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, all the grape varieties they work with in Chile (they have a winery in Argentina and another one in Ribera del Duero). The Cabernet Franc was planted around 1890, and the Syrah, Carignan and Merlot were grafted on old Pais vines. All these vineyards are unirrigated and give naturally low yields of around 30 hectoliters per hectare. The grapes were manually-harvested during April, the grapes are selected in the winery and in stainless steel tanks. The wine aged for one year in French oak barrels, half of which were new. This wine is very aromatic and open, with ripe, subtle aromas of damsons and blackberries, a leafy hint, some spearmint and very subtle sweet spices. The palate is balanced and elegant, medium-bodied, with some dusty tannins. Ideal for food. Drink 2015-2019.
Image of bottle
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O. Fournier Carignan Centauri 2011 750ml

SKU 753201
Out of Stock
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Winery O. Fournier
barrel

Vintage: 2011

The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines. In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
green grapes

Varietal: Carignan

The Carignan grape varietal has been grown and processed in Europe for centuries, and is thought to have originated in the Aragon region of Spain. Indeed, it is still sometimes used in the production of Spain's famous blended Rioja wines, where its high astringency, tannins and acidity levels lend a bit of a boost to the other grape varietals in the blend. Nowadays, the Carignan varietal is most commonly associated with the fine red wines of Languedoc, where it is grown is large quantities by expert vintners who know how to deal with its often harsh characteristics. Carignan is particularly susceptible to all kinds of rot and mildew, and as such thrives in hotter, drier climates. However, given careful treatment, it is a fine and versatile grape varietal which can produce superb wines of excellent character.
barrel

Region: Valle Central

The Valle Central of Chile is widely regarded as being one of the oldest 'New World' wine regions of earth, with a history that extends back over five hundred years to the time of the first European settlers in South America. Whilst they were mainly preoccupied with planting vines for the production of sacramental wines, today, the wine industry of Valle Central has never been stronger. With a wide range of vines flourishing in the region, thanks to the many micro-climates the valley provides, wineries can make the most of their particular location and produce fully ripened grapes of exquisite flavour and character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Carmenere grow very well all throughout the various areas within Valle Central, and the region is developing a serious reputation for excellence on the world stage.
fields

Country: Chile

When the wealthy new landowners of the 19th century began planting large vineyards in the fertile central valleys of Chile, they must have been impressed at how successful the imported Old World grape varietals took to the land. However, such a fact is hardly surprising; with eight months of blazing sunshine coupled with oceanic winds from the west, and crystal clear spring waters from the Andes irrigating the soil, grapes such as Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were given everything they needed to flourish, and more. As the centuries passed, Chilean wineries continued to expand and experiment, resulting in a wide range of wine production methods and techniques, and consistently producing fine quality wines perfect for the international market. Nowadays, Chile is renowned for producing a wide variety of crisp white wines, and juicy, fruity reds enjoyed around the world for their drinkability and flavorful character, making this country very much one of the 'New World', albeit one with a fascinating link to the Old.