Domus Aurea 2019

Domus Aurea is the flagship of Clos Quebrada de Macul, the Maipo Valley estate founded by Isabelle and Ricardo Peña after years of selling their fruit to Chile's leading wineries. The wine is a blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, grown on alluvial and colluvial soils at the foot of the Andes in the upper Maipo. The cool air that drains off the mountains at night gives a wide diurnal range, which holds acidity and fixes the eucalyptus and mint character typical of this corner of Maipo. The free draining soils and warm days ripen Cabernet fully while the elevation keeps the wine fresh. Ageing is long and measured: 18 months in French oak barrels followed by 18 months in foudres, combining the structuring effect of barrel with the gentler oxygen exchange of large format wood. The colour is deep, almost opaque ruby. The nose shows blackcurrant and plum, with mint, eucalyptus, tobacco and cedar. The palate is full bodied and structured, the tannins firm and fine, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant. It suits grilled beef, lamb and aged cheese.