VINA CONO SUR BICICLETA MERLOT

Cono Sur Bicicleta Merlot

This bright and clean Merlot is a lovely violet red. In the nose it boasts red fruit notes such as cherries, blueberries and raspberries with a touch of cacao, tobacco and mocha. On the palate it is smooth, well-balanced, delicate and juicy with round and persistent tannins. Pairs well with red meats, soft cheeses and sauces.

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Bicicleta | Range | Viña Cono Sur

Viña Cono Sur is a wine producer based in the Colchagua Valley in Chile. It is particularly notable for its wines made from Pinot Noir, and in particular the flagship Ocio, but makes a range of wines from many of Chile’s key grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Chardonnay.

The brand was created in 1993 when Concha Y Toro purchased the Santa Elisa estate in Chimbarongo, Colchagua. The estate had around 300 hectares (494 acres) under vine, including a plot of Pinot Noir vines which were, on average, 25 years old.

The estate has grown considerably since, and now Cono Sur makes wines in most of Chile’s key winegrowing regions, including the San Antonio Valley, the Maipo Valley, the Limari Valley, and Aconcagua.

However, Cono Sur’s most important region is arguably the Casablanca Valley, where the Pinot Noir grapes for the Ocio wine are sourced. The vines are planted on sandy clay soils and benefit from the cool maritime climate, retaining acidity while developing rich varietal character.

After being hand-harvested, hand-selected and crushed, the grapes are fermented and then aged in barrel for 12-14 months. Following this, the wine is rested in stainless steel tanks for 4-8 weeks before being bottled and released.

There are several other ranges at Cono Sur, including the entry-level Bicicleta range, and the more premium 20 Barrels and Reserva Especial ranges.