Wine: Stella Aurea

Maipo Valley

Domus Aurea

Clos Quebrada De Macul is a single hillside family owned vineyard planted to cabernet sauvignon back in 1970 when it was unheard of in Chile to plant on more difficult-to-farm, lower-yielding hillside sites. The vines planted there are 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 20% blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.

In the past the harvest had been sold to top wineries from across the country, becoming the most expensive fruit in the market. This has motived the owners, Isabelle and Ricardo Peña, to join forces with the winemaker Ignacio Recabarren, and an US investor to begin their own winery.
Since its debute in 1996 Domus Aurea has occupied a leading role in Chile’s recent wine history, appealing to site-specificity, low yields and non-interventionist winemaking.  In 2003 Patrick Valette and Jean Pascal Lacaze joined Domus Aurea as consultant and resident winemaker, respectively.

The wine has an intense and brilliant red color. The aroma is characteristic of this terroir, combining an exceptional red fruit, chocolate, mint, and cassis. With round tannins, balanced acidity and substantial length on the palate. The wine is unfiltered and, as result, can be expected to develop natural sediment as it benefits from further age in the bottle. The wine is recommended to be served at 18°С, before it to be decanted.

Stella 2003 Descorchados 2006: de Patricio Tapia (Chilean Wine Guide) - Top 10 of the best Cabernet Sauvignon – 92/100 points

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