Cousiño-Macul Classic Merlot

Merlot bottle image

Wine Description

After being harvested, the Merlot grapes were immediately crushed and given a cold soak for 6 days prior to an 8-10 day fermentation. For complexity, the winemaking team used both native and prise de mousse yeast and the must was pumped over three times a day during the first several days. The resulting wine was given an extended maceration of 7 days before being pressed off its skins and finally, the wine rested in the cellars for several months before being bottled. 

Cousiño-Macul Winery
Cousiño-Macul Vineyard
The gate to Cousiño-Macul winery
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Acclaim
The unoaked 2010 Merlot sports a pleasing perfume of spice box, cherry blossom, cassis, and black cherry setting the stage for an easy-going, savory, well-balanced wine that will pair nicely with burgers and pizza. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.
— Wine Advocate, Feb 2012
Sweet and herbal smelling, then firm and tight in the mouth, with clampy tannins and generic, dark flavors of black plum and berry. Feels a little reduced and heavy on the finish
— Wine Enthusiast, Feb 2012
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Vineyard & Production Info
Vineyard name
Buin and Macul Vineyards
Vineyard size
Various acres
Soil composition
Calcareous soil, sand and rough stone
Elevation:
1,320-1,890 feet
Vines/acre:
920-2,000
Yield/acre:
2.6 tons
Exposure:
North and South
Harvest time:
March
First vintage of this wine:
2002
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
7
Varietal composition:
100% Merlot
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
8-10 days
Maceration technique:
Pump over
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Size of aging container:
41,000 L
Length of aging before bottling:
3 months
Length of bottle aging:
3 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.68
Acidity:
3.11 g/L
Alcohol:
14.3 %
Dry extract:
31 g/L
Residual sugar:
3.4 g/L