Le Dix de Los Vascos

Le Dix, meaning 10 in French, was introduced in 1998 to celebrate Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite’s first 10 years in Chile. Le Dix de Los Vascos is grown in the exceptional vineyard, called El Fraile, which means “the monk,” the oldest planted vineyard at Los Vascos and the original vineyard on the estate. The vineyard is 100% planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and many parcels of the vineyard have vines reaching 80 years in age. The vineyard covers some 200 acres. Los Vascos is located in Valley de Caneten (Colchagua), a closed valley in the central zone of Chile, approximately 25 miles from the sea. The valley provides a perfect microclimate for high quality viticulture, with Northern exposure. With 1,581 acres planted on the over 10,000 acre estate, it is one of the largest vineyards in the central Colchagua valley, at the foot of Mount Cañeten.

A rainy winter gave way to a cool spring where maximum temperatures did not exceed 79ºF. Early summer brought unusually low temperatures and rainfall, which continued through the harvest months. It was necessary to go through, taste, and analyze the ripeness of the grapes more frequently and to be more patient than usual. Hand-picking at “El Fraile” began on April 15, for the sectors that ripen earlier, and lasted two weeks. Although this was one of the coldest vintages in recent decades, the plants in this district, which are over 60 years old, are less affected by temperature differences and tend to compensate for the speed of ripening, which partly explains why the harvest took place a few days later than usual.

Le Dix is made with the utmost care, just like the Bordeaux Grands Crus. Grapes are carefully selected and hand harvested. After destemming, they are placed in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in tanks, then the wine is transferred into French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac (60% new oak) for a period of 18 months. This wine will reveal its complexity with further bottle ageing. Cellar in good conditions for up to 10+ years.

Deep ruby color, with hints of garnet. The nose is intense and fruity, with notes of black cherry and raspberry, accompanied by cocoa, graphite and cedar notes. The palate is tense, with good concentration and although the tannins are very present at the beginning, they are elegant and refined.