Sacromonte

Carapé

Uruguay, Maldonado

2021

Carapé
WBSS 2025 Crest Image

From Sacromonte based in Maldonado, Uruguay, comes this co-fermented blend of six grape varieties which is possibly the perfect partner for the French classic - cassoulet. Undisputedly New World in style with intense black fruit, herbs and vanilla, it has both elegance and structure, poise and purpose - beautifully crafted.

Carapé

This is a co-fermented wine of six red varieties, all planted in the 5-ha vineyard in the Carapé mountains in the Maldonado region of Uruguay. The varieties include Tannat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Marselan.

Co-fermentation

The first harvest in 2018 yielded 4,500 kg of Tannat, 800 kg of Merlot, and 600 kg of Cabernet Sauvignon. However, there were just two tanks of 3,000 kg each. Thus, one tank was filled with 3,000 kg of Tannat, and the second tank was filled with the remaining 1,500 kg of Tannat, the 800 kg of Merlot, and 600 kg of Cabernet Sauvignon. Co-fermentation of these three varieties was a necessity. Once the fermentations were finished, they were transferred to first-use French oak barrels. The wine was made with what the first harvest produced and with the only tanks available, earning a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2020 with 96 points.

Carape_2021_WBSS25_1

In 2020, new plots of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Marselan were harvested and co-fermented, this time including all six varieties from the vineyard. After 14 months of resting in tanks, the wine was transferred to French oak barrels for a further 14 months.

In 2021, the wine we introduce this time to WBSS again includes the co-fermentation of the six varieties we grow at Sacromonte Vineyard. However, the wine was left for 18 months in stainless steel tanks and then for 15 months in new French oak barrels. This wine was bottled in December 2023.

Our Vineyard:

The vineyard has a north-south orientation, with north-facing vineyards being the sunniest aspect in the Southern Hemisphere. The soil has been extensively analyzed by international geologists, revealing that the vineyard is on rocks from the Zanja del Tigre Formation, belonging to the Lavalleja Group, with an approximate age of 750 million years. This formation consists of a sedimentary sequence of limestones and sandstones that, over time, have undergone metamorphic alterations, resulting in the marbles, quartzites, and micaceous schists found on the surface.

Tasting
NOTES

A rounder, fuller style of New World red showing intense blackberry and blackcurrant fruit, herbal characteristics and vanilla. Classical in form with elegance and structure provided by tannins and acidity. This is an interesting blend, thoughtfully crafted and with the expression of Tannat coming to the fore on the finish. A lovely wine!

Food
PAIRINGS

The ideal food pairing would be a classic French cassoulet. Alternatively, grilled veal filet, cauliflower cream, baked romanesco, girolle mushrooms and rich veal gravy.

Contact
PRODUCER

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Carapé

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