Errazuriz Chardonnay Max Reserva 750ml

2338501* 

$54.99 $51.49 price per bottle

Wine maker notes The grapes that go into this wine our come from our Manzanar Vineyard, a 1,047-hectare property with rolling hills that range from 100 to 300 meters above sea level. Because it is only 12 km from the Pacific Ocean, the heat summation at Manzanar varies from 1,199 Degree Days in the coldest sectors to 1,331 DD in the warmest areas and presents an average temperature in January of 18. 4ºC. These unique conditions are ideal for growing cold-climate varieties such as Chardonnay. 28. 5 hectares of Chardonnay clones 548, 95, and 76 were planted in 2005. Clone 548 produces grapes with tremendous concentration and structure, while grapes from clone 95 are very aromatic, with citrus and tropical notes. Clone 76 adapts very well to the cold-climate conditions, and its grapes ripen quite early in the season. The vineyards are drip irrigated and trellised to vertical shoot position on soils that have a thin, 40-80 cm layer of loam texture over a layer of clay and broken slate-like rocks (schist) that is responsible for the minerality found in our wines from the coast. All grapes were hand-picked, placed in 14kg cases, and transported to the cellar for fermentation. After being rigorously inspected to guarantee the highest quality fruit, the berries were crushed whole-cluster. A portion of the grapes are fermented with native yeasts, and part of the final blend undergoes malolactic fermentation. The wine was is aged for about 10 months in French oak barrels. Pale yellow in color, the Max Reserva Chardonnay displays lively, intense aromas fusing fruits such as cherimoya, stone fruit and grapefruit with subtle spicy notes. Creamy with good volume on the palate, backed up by crispness and lively acidity.
Producer Don Maximiano Errazuriz founded Vina Errazuriz in 1870. With his great vision for the future and his innovative, pioneering spirit, he planted the first French grape varieties in the Aconcagua Valley. His initiative and creativity were handed down to future generations and, in just over a century, his descendants consolidated the winery and positioned their wines among the world’s most noteworthy. Here, we invite you to get to know some of the main landmarks that have shaped the history of this family vineyard, currently one of the best examples of successful winemaking in Chile. Our Founder Don Maximiano Errazuriz Valdivieso, who founded Vina Errazuriz in 1870, was a man of great vision and wide-ranging talents. As a member of a family that has played an important role in Chile’s social and cultural life over two and a half centuries, Errazuriz carried out duties as a politician, diplomat and as a great entrepreneur. Unlike his peers, he set his eyes on the Aconcagua Valley to plant his vineyards, under the premise “from the best land, the best wines. ” Don Maximiano Errazuriz was born in Santiago in 1832, into a family of Spanish Basque origin settled in Chile since 1735. Over two and a half centuries, the family has played a significant role in the country’s cultural, social and political life. It produced two Presidents of the Republic, two Archbishops of Santiago and a considerable number of diplomats, writers and businessmen, who contributed to the development of the country. In 1855 Errazuriz married Amalia Urmeneta, daughter of Jose Tomas Urmeneta. Don Maximiano and his father-in-law became partners and created a mining company in northern Chile. In those days, it was said that the company produced about one third of the world’s copper production. Errazuriz also created the Compania de Gas de Santiago (Santiago’s Gas Company), establishing the first public lighting service in the capital. He participated in public life as well, serving as a member of parliament for three terms, as a senator for nine years and as a diplomatic representative for Chile’s government, both in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Although Errazuriz was quite successful in business, he endured personal tragedies. His wife Amalia died in 1861 at the age of 24, shortly after having given birth to Rafael, their fourth child. To relieve his pain, Don Maximiano undertook a long journey through Europe. Upon his return, and following the example of his father-in-law, he planted vineyards in Panquehue, a small town north of Santiago. Unlike other families who had planted French grape varieties in the outskirts of the capital, he followed his pioneering instinct and settled in the Aconcagua Valley, where he founded Vina Errazuriz in 1870 under the premise “from the best land, the best wines”. The 300 hectares planted in Panquehue soon began to be managed according to state of the art viticultaral techniques. Later, his son Rafael would enlarge the planted area to 700 hectares. According to contemporary information, this made Vina Errazuriz the largest winery in the world in the hands of a single owner. 1871 proved to be a crucial year for Don Maximiano: he met and married Carmen Valdes, started building a mansion surrounded by a beautiful park planned by a French landscape designer and embarked on another trip to Europe, this time with his wife. Unfortunately, on their return trip, Carmen contracted yellow fever. She died shortly after their return home surrounded by her family. In 1883, after their children became independent, Don Maximiano retired to Panquehue, where he lived an austere life, dedicated to prayer and helping the poor. He also built houses for his workers, a school and a church. He died in 1890, aged 58.