Cromas Gran Reserva Cabernet Franc

Los Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional to the everyday. The vision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite to expand their estate took them to South America in 1988, becoming the first French viticultural investment in modern Chile, oriented towards the production of fine wine using and adapting the viticultural experiences of Bordeaux. “Cromas” is derived from the Greek word for color. The Cromas Gran Reserva range celebrates the many colors found in nature by the distinctive color on its packaging, reflecting the colors of grapes and the colors of the terroir. When exploring elevations at the foothills of the mountains, a specific kind of ochre granite was discovered, ideally suited to plant new vineyards which produce wines of incomparable precision and elegance.

For this demanding grape variety, the hillsides of Santa Lucia were selected. The soils consist of altered granite with low argile content and the southeastern exposure offers the optimal ripening conditions. The gentle ocean breezes help cool the grapes at night. There were two frost episodes over the winter that resulted in natural thinning and therefore lower yields, with better quality and concentration of the grapes. Well into the season, the temperature continued to rise, with highs of up to98°F in the shade in the summer. As a result, the harvest began 20 days earlier than usual. Despite the differences in the vineyard (exposures, soil, clones), the high temperatures evened out ripening during this season. The harvest of all the Cabernet Franc lots was carried out in three days, beginning on March 18.

This grape variety calls for a very soft handling in the winery, with extreme caution and patience required during the extraction and maceration phases. Grapes are fermented in small stainless steel tanks; various plots are vinified separately. The wines are aged 80% in oak barrels and 20% in concrete tanks. The wines are then aged in oak barrels for 80% and the remaining 20% in concrete tanks.

Beautiful, elegant, and crystalline ruby red color. Red fruit-scented nose of ripe raspberries and fresh strawberries with the signature herbal and floral aromas of this variety. On the palate, this interesting medium-bodied wine offers a smooth attack, marked by an intense and refreshing acidity. Its firm yet pleasant tannins open for a persistent finish.