Winemaking at the foot of the Andes mountain: Torreón de Paredes (The Paredes’ tower) vineyard in Cachapoal, Chile⠀⠀
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Visiting Torreón you are immediately taken back by the picturesque beauty of the vineyard. An imposing white tower (the Torreón) stands tall in the middle of the beautiful courtyard. Torreón de Paredes is now 300 years strong.
Here in their home town Rengo, climate is slightly cooler thanks to the looming Andes mountain.
The grapes will still enjoy prolonged sun basking time while the vines receive strictly drip irrigation from the cool and clear mountain water of the Claro river. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To grow good grapes, you must have a great vineyard and Don Amado Paredes (founder and mentor) chose one of the best. Viña Torreón is in Cachapoal in the Rapel Valley appellation. This wine region is well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon made almost always bold and assertive. His sons Javier and Alvaro work the vineyards now. Don Amado sadly passed on in 2000 at the ripe age of 94.
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At Torreón de Paredes, the prevailing winemaking style is purely traditional, akin to Old World (French) techniques-letting the grapes take centre stage. Wines have high acidity, low alcohol and great depth of character. Special care is taken to make sure the fruit is physiologically perfect so all the 150 hectares of land are painstakingly hand harvested. ⠀⠀
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I’ve had a chance to taste some of these well awarded gems that are grown on 35 year old vines. Here are the notes of the most memorable four wines I tasted:
Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2016: An impressive start! This coastal Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley bursts with flavours. Complex on the nose with hints of citrus well mingled in honey and vanilla. Sharp with acidity yet well balanced with a long mineral finish.This is a fresh and crisp wine that can compliment beautifully fish or seafood, if you wish. ⠀
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Merlot Reserva 2014: Their elegant number. Round and subtle, this appealing Merlot of intense garnet colour, black fruit preceds on the nose with back notes of smoke, on the palate it has good structure and balance with smooth tannin and a long finish. There is definitely something about this Merlot that would have you sipping non-stop. This wine is juicy and meaty. Poultry, especially served with berry-based sauces, will echo the fruitiness of the wine and let it take centre stage.⠀⠀
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Carménère Reserva 2014: Intense on the nose is persistent deep dark fruit, cherries and blackberry with hints of dark chocolate and earth. On the palate it is voluptuous with medium tannins a graceful long finish and complex personality by its own or with a banquet. ⠀⠀
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Syrah Reserva 2007: Deep coloured and still powerful, savoury and compelling. A complex melody of fruity and floral bouquet with slight hints of vanilla and spice giving way to an assertive palate with silky tannins and long lingering finish. This wine will continue to age beautifully…but, you can seriously enjoy it now, perhaps with braised or stewed meat?
The wines have received numerous awards. Most notably The Decanter Gold for their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada.⠀⠀
The golden thread runs through this estate that is immediately felt after a tour of the vineyard; their commitment to sustainability. The impact of global warming and our responsibility to prevent it is an issue they address throughout the estate down to eco-friendly glass bottling! This saw them awarded the seal of certification for stability by Wines of Chile back in 2015.
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