Las Higueras Vineyard
Maule Valley
Cabernet Franc
2017 – Lot 92
Wonderful herbal aromas and a leafy, spicy personality, very fine tannins and good freshness. Elegance with complexity.
5264 bottles filled in Dic 2018
15 barrels Cab Franc
Total Acid 5,6 g/l
pH: 3,49
Residual Sugar: 2,09 g/l
Alcohol: 12,8 % vol
The Vineyard:
– 116 yrs old
– 8 hectares ttl
– old-bush head vines (see story)
– Alluvial soils, round stones at 40-50 cm
– 3rd alluvial terrace of above the Achibueno River
– 1,2 kg per plant / < 3,5oo kgs per hectare
Elaboration:
– Naturally fermented with native yeasts
– Conical oval shaped lagar fermenters (open) 1,5oo kgs-3,ooo
– Caps punched down by hand
– Lignified stems re-introduced after crush aprox 20%
– No temp control (besides opening closing windows)
– Pinch of sulfites after malolactic that finishes before winter begins (normally)
Elevage:
- Aged in barrels over two winters— barrels for this wine come from Almaviva after two uses: Nadalie (Allier – Noisette toast), Sylvain, Berger & Fils, , Seguin Moreau.
The Vintage – 2017
- 2017 was a warm vintage but the proximity to the river (narrow lake/loch for much of the year) helped to keep things cool at this site.
- works on the farm with canopy management began to pay off in 2017 with lower alcohol and freshness.
¿How many lots of this wine?
Just one each year.
Previous Las Higueras Vineyard bottlings:
- Las Higueras Vineyard Lot 82 – 2016
- Las Higueras Vineyard Lot 72 – 2015
- Las Higueras Vineyard Lot 62 – 2014
- Las Higueras Vineyard Lot 52 – 2013
This is the 92nd Lot of wine we have bottled since 2001.
T a s t i n g N o t e s
House note:
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2017 – Lot # 92
Rare bush-head vine Cabernet Franc, shows classic notes of graphite, cut grass (tomato leaf) backed up by fine, well integrated tannins and proper supporting acidity. Lighter colour with surprising density and intensity. Atypical new-world Cab Franc: balanced and expressive with 12,8 % alc. (It´s the difference proper farming makes!)
Ageability
- 2017 vintage will age 10 years gracefully, but the wine is approachable today
- 2013 is drinking well and with a few more years before it will peak it could be cellared for 3-4 years more!
Best drinking 2020-2028
C r i t i c s´ N o t e s
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 247
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2017 – Lot # 92 – 94 Pts
The 2017 Las Higueras Vineyard is a Cabernet Franc from Maule and, therefore, is quite different in style from the one from Pirque in Maipo, with less herbal and mint notes and more of a fruit-forward, peachy personality, perhaps aided by the warmer year. In any case, they changed the farming of this vineyard as they took over, starting with the pruning and training of the vines, making them look more like the bush vines and letting them grow above the first wire, which lent more shade to the fruit and seemed to result in a slower maturation of the grapes and less alcohol (this is only 12.9%!). They also sold some fruit from this vineyard to other wineries, so in the future, we might get to taste different interpretations of this very same vineyard. They also started working with cover crops and removed the synthetic fertilizers and other stuff, even abandoning irrigation and going back to cultivating it the old way with the aid of vignerons from Sauzal and Puico. They say they really noticed a big difference now that have been working it for three years. The plants are now 116 years old. With time in the glass the wine develops a very specific note of merken, a Chilean paprika-like blend of spices. 5,264 bottles were filled in January 2019.
Vinous March 2020 Joaquin Hidalgo
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2017 – Lot # 92 – 91 Pts
Cabernet Franc from Las Higueras, Maule, aged for two years. The intense nose contains blackberry and maraschino cherries with bell pepper, herbs and a hint of tobacco. A rough texture combines with firm tannins that get very juicy when woken up by the moderate acidity and a long finish of woody notes. A serious wine.
More About Las Higueras
We have made Las Higueras Cab Franc since 2013. It was sourced from a corner of a larger 8 hectare vineyard of 115 year old Cab Franc in Maule. In this corner hectare most all of the cables and posts of the rows had mostly fallen down (the owners had used these bits and bobs to help better string up the rest of the vineyard) and, as we saw it, this little hectare had returned to its natural state in nature ie old bush head vines! Old bush-head vine Cab Franc.
Note : Two years ago we entered into an agreement to rent the whole enchilada in a long-term deal that has us managing all 8 hectares. We have brought in our dry-farming vignerons from Sauzal and Puico to help and have begun cultivating the vineyard the old way. The vineyard has responded well to what was a formidable pruning to recover and rebuild the old vines, but already we are seeing a re-birth.
What is to come?
The 2017 Vintage (a warm year) was harvested at 12,6 & 12,8 alc. We are looking forward to future years now we manage the whole vineyard!
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Notes on Previous Vintages from this parcel
T a s t i n g N o t e s
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 239
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2014 – Lot # 82 – 93 Pts
The 2016 Las Higueras Vineyard bottling (Lot #82) is from a place close to Linares that they now manage entirely (and sell some fruit to others) and has some herbal aromas and a leafy, spicy personality. It has very fine tannins and good freshness. It’s elegant, with some complexity. Some 4,000 bottles produced from 13 barrels. It was bottled in December 2017.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 239
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2014 – Lot # 72 – 92 Pts
As with many of their bottlings, I was able to compare the 2015 Las Higueras Vineyard with the 2016, and this was darker, more concentrated and powerful. It feels quite ripe and not that varietal. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. 3,764 bottles were filled in December 2016.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 23o
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2014 – Lot # 62 – 93+ Pts
I also got to taste the 2014 Las Higueras Vineyard bottling (marked lot #62). This vineyard in the Caliboro zone of Maule has provided a very balanced and expressive Cabernet Franc, with complexity and nuances, fine tannins and good freshness. 3,642 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2015, having spent two winters in barrel.
James Suckling .com May 25th 2017
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2014 – Lot # 62 – 93 Pts
This is a solid cabernet franc with beautiful density and intense. Wonderfully structured with firm and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs a year or two of bottle age.
Descorchados 2017 Patricio Tapia
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2014 – Lot # 62 – 91 Pts
Voluptuoso y con agarre, de los que piden esos gordos cortes de carne jugosa. También para la guarda.
Tim Atkin MW
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2013 – Lot # 52 – 93 Pts
New to Derek Mossman’s extensive range of goodies in 2013, this is a rather unusual bush vine Cabernet Franc, showing classic notes of graphite and cut grass backed up by sinewy, well integrated tannins and supporting acidity. An impressive début. Drink 2018-24
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 23o
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2013 – Lot # 52 – 92 Pts
Let’s see if I can find names that can be reused from vintage to vintage, using the vineyard designation, like the case of their Cabernet Franc 2013 Las Higueras Vineyard from Maule. This was sourced from dry-farmed, head-pruned old Cabernet Franc vines planted on a terrace of alluvial soils near the Perquilauquen river. It matured in barrel over two winters. The Pirque Cabernet Franc is their first wine to sell out year after year, so they had to find more Cabernet Franc, and they finally got this, from two vineyards. It shows the mixture of varietal and place characteristics, plus the freshness from the year. It has more developed, earthier aromas. 3,371 bottles were filled in November 2014 from 11 barrels. This is lot #52.
Vinous – Antonio Galloni, Feb 2017
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2013 – Lot # 52 – 91 Pts
Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry and dark berries on the deeply perfumed nose, complicated by hints of licorice, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco that build in the glass. Plush, expansive cherry and black currant flavors show very good depth and a refreshing touch of mint that emerges with air. Finishes smooth, sweet and impressively long, delivering solid thrust, a hint of bitter chocolate and velvety, even tannins that come in late. Drink 2018 – 2023 Josh Raynolds
Descorchados 2017 Patricio Tapia
Las Higueras Vineyard Maule Valley Cabernet Franc 2013 – Lot # 52 – 91 Pts
Especias y algunos toques torrados en la nariz. La boca es amable, tensa, con una rica acidez que lo barre todo.
Pictures of this vineyard taken over the past few years:
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gwcolashiguerasvineyard/
Different leaves matter #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Que maravilha!!! 🍇🍇🍇 #vindima a pleno vapor 🍇🍇🍇.#Repost garagewineco
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The fruit is what centres everything but the hands that farm and bring in the fruit are the heroes — and there are never enough of them #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Let’s zoom in on harvest of Cab Franc in Las Higueras hagamos el otro zoom hacia una fruta Cab Franc de Las Higueras hoy #gwcocabfranc
#gwcoharvest2022
#gwcolashiguerasvineyard
#mauleadicto
#mauleprofundo
#regiondelmaule
#drinkchile
#maulevalley
#valledelmaule
Let’s flail some more like we did last summer , let’s mulch some more like we did last year #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #agriculturarenerativa #regenerativefarming #regenerativeagriculture #regenerativeviticulture #gwcocover
Daughter and father dupla Maria y Juan Arias cutting Cab Franc in #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #gwcoharvest2022 #mauleadicto #drinkchile #regenerativeagriculture #agriculturaregenerativa #agriculturaregenerativachile
Some of the last of Cab Franc from Las Higueras cut for client this week #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
I am reminded of @rush Album 2112 “wires that vibrate and give music, what can this thing be . . . #gwcocabfranc
#gwcoharvest2022
#gwcolashiguerasvineyard
#mauleadicto
#mauleprofundo
#regiondelmaule
#drinkchile
#maulevalley
#valledelmaule
Last days cutting — Cab Franc for a client today. #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #mauleadicto
Pisoneo a veces no es fácil. Y cuando no es fácil generalmente es cuando la fruta beneficia del contacto — después cuando es más fácil pisonear ya es muy tarde ... ... entonces se suben dos a la palanca y se aplica doble el ñeque #gwcoharvest2021 #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Nicole out early for the Cab Franc harvest #gwcocabfranc
#gwcoharvest2022
#gwcolashiguerasvineyard
#mauleadicto
#mauleprofundo
#regiondelmaule
#maulevalley
#valledelmaule
Bladerunner Winemaker’s Cut #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Out early in Las Higueras cutting the first Cab Franc in Maule #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #gwcoharvest2022 #mauleadicto #maulecalley #mauleprofundo #regenerativeagriculture #agriculturaregenerativa #agriculturaregenerativachile
Cabernet Franc Las Higueras 2022 - late bloomer like your’s truly #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Anticipating the difference some new ideas of regenerative farming make on the fruit and in the wine this year. Perhaps it is unfair, bush-head vs wires and rows but I am interested in seeing what both can do in a glass when they are ready. (We shall only have to wait 3 yrs to see 😉 #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #gwcoregenerative #gwcoharvest2022 #drinkchile
The second cut if Cab Franc from Las Higueras is proving difficult to punch down so we have a tag team on the plank over the Barco (Ship of State) #gwcoharvest2021 #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Cab Franc Las Higueras - pisoneo manual con la nariz bien cerca. #gwco lashigueras #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #gwcoharvest2021
Acacia is wonderful wood for posts which we like because we can use it untreated but sometimes when it is green and rain falls and well … … it puts up a wee fight before it is satisfied to settle in being but a post. #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
On my own today but in good company #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Thibault (harvest shadow) loves punching down Thibault (mi sombra durante esta vendimia) ama los pisoneos #gwcoharvest2021 #gwcowinery #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Don Hugo bringing in the Franc Don Hugo gameleando el Franc de #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
The fruit is what centres everything but the hands that farm and bring in the fruit are the protagonists — and there are never enough of them #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Harvesting Cab Franc for a client today. A difficult year but the fruit is delish. Sad to lose these rows 😔 Cortando fruta para un client hoy- atómica la fruta Cab Franc 120 años - difícil la l añada pero sale algo rico de esto 😉 #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Amarrando ! #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
It’s not a snake but a sincel broken when the boss was sarmentando— looks like the boss has to go to the Vulca and fix his own mess... ... oh the glamour. #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Le penseur Don Fermin del Carmen #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #gwcocover
Great shot of the family working harvest in @la.cav / buena foto familiar de cosecha en @la.cav #gwcoharvest2020 #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
On this day of Cab Franc #cabernetfranc #cabernetfrancday Pilar walks Las Higueras V. Cab Franc in the Maule with Jorge George Jolo Cancino #gwcolashiguerasvineyard @singleferments
I am only ever away for a few days at a time but each time back they all wave to me #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Han skulle till Nya Zeeland för att åka skidor, men hamnade i Chile istället. Kanadensaren Derek Mossman Knapp stannade kvar i landet och blev en av grundarna till Garage Wine Company samt MOVI, en sammanslutning av småskaliga producenter.
Prövar Garages druvrena Las Higueras Cabernet Franc Lot 54 årgång 2013. Druvorna kommer från bush vines i regionen Maule. Ingen konstbevattning, manuell skörd, naturlig jäst och ingen temperaturkontroll i tankarna. Vinet lagrades 18 månader på gamla franska fat.
Tankarna går mot Bordeaux eller kanske snarare Bolgheri för här finns en generös och tät solvarm frukt parallellt med struktur och syra som stadgar upp. Inget kladd här inte. Noter av plommon, söt tobak, örter, en gnutta vått trä och ett uns vanilj. Även blyerts och svarta vinbär som får mig förbryllat att i sinnet (och på flaskan) söka efter en andel cabernet sauvignon, som alltså inte existerar i det här glaset. Toppas med silkiga men distinkta tanniner. Finurligt bygge med hög energi och bra balans mellan beståndsdelarna.
Gärna mer sånt här från Chile, håller ett öga både på producenten och movichile framöver!
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#garagewineco #derekmossmanknapp #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #maulevalley #chileanwine #winesofchile #vinosdechile #cabernetfranc #terroir #vinvivant #naturalwine #vinnaturel #wine #redwine #vinparaden #handpickedwine
La otra Máquina en acción - Caballo mecanico extraordinario The Other Machine in action - tremendous mechanical horse #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Cab Franc - trained old bush-head no filter required #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #mauleadicto #maule #gwcofieldcraft
Poop in the vineyard already! How many times do I have to keep saying it. Some animals never learn. #gwcolashiguerasvineyard #regenerate #insoilwetrust
On this day of Cab Franc #cabernetfrancday #cabernetfranc a pic of @singleferments Pilar walking old vine Las Higueras Cab Franc with Jorge ‘Jolo’ Cancino #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Cab Franc on approach #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
If I said “redefining take-away” would I have to explain? Comida “para llevar” redefinido #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
New reins on the mechanical horse - ready to go! #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
#gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Mugroneando el Cab Franc de Las Higueras #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Abstract sap #gwcolashiguerasvineyard
Flail mower mulching up the cane / triturando sarmientos #gwcolashiguerasvineyard