2023 El Principal Calicanto

Viña El Principal ranks among the absolute top wines from South America and Chile, which is not surprising, as the house was founded in 1993 by partners Jorge Fontaine Aldunate, owner of the El Principal estate, and Jean Paul Valette, French winemaker and former owner of the renowned Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Pavie in Saint-Émilion. Today, the Said Sandal Family owns the winery, and it is one of Chile's most exclusive and premium wines, with only four wines produced, but a range of top-quality wines that capture the spirit and typicity of Chilean terroir. The hand, tradition, and experience of the Valette family at Château Pavie are evident in every element, and the style (and choice of grape varietal) has an inextricable Bordeaux Saint-Émilion twist. That's not surprising, given their background. El Principal's terroir, situated at the foot of the Andes in the Alto Maipo Valley (DO Maipo Andes), was perfect for their project. Its unique combination of climate, soil type, and altitude made it ideal for producing wines with character, a unique identity, and exceptional quality. Since Calicanto's first vintage in 2007, this red blend from Andetelmo Estate has distinguished itself with its fresh and fruity character, spicy notes, and polished, silky tannins. The higher-altitude Andean vineyards give Callicanto an extra dose of clarity and freshness. Wonderfully fruity with herbal and berry aromas, it combines with a spicy note. Medium-bodied with fine, rounded tannins, a soft texture, and excellent balance, incomparable to the often very fruit-driven wines of Chile. This is not surprising for a Chilean Frenchman, given that the foundation and development come from Château Pavie. The vineyard is located at 770 m above sea level and is of colluvial clay origin. It is strongly influenced by the ocean, with a significant influence from the Andes. The average temperature is between 18°C ​​and 22°C. The wine is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Carmenère, aged for 12 months in 100% French oak. Calicanto was named in honor of the first bridge built between 1767 and 1782 over the Mapocho River in the city of Santiago. Over time, various shops and businesses sprang up along its banks, making it one of the first commercial centers for Chilean wine. Like that first bridge, Calicanto symbolizes the union between tradition and modernity, and a dedication to producing wines of the highest quality that express the soul of the Chilean terroir through the French varietals planted in the vineyards. FACT: In the "Tab: Attachment" you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" on the Checkout page. We're located right next to the Rijksweg with ample parking. Click here for our address