An Anniversary Celebration for the Land, People and Wines of Los Vascos 

Every wine lover understands that the process of tasting is a sensory experience. Observing the color in the glass, noting the aromas, identifying the flavors, and listening to the crackle of bubbles in a sparkling wine are experiences that prompt each sip to have more meaning. Just a few weeks ago, I walked in the Cabana Club, the rooftop bar at The Robey in Chicago, where all of my senses were heightened before I had my first sample of wines from Los Vascos! Chilean music and dance paired with authentic cuisine were presented as an homage to the 30^th anniversary of Los Vascos, an independent estate located in the Colchagua province of Chile and owned by the iconic Château Lafite Rothschild.

 

Claudio Naranjo, General Manager at Los Vascos, attended the event, as were plenty of public relations folk, sommeliers, beverage directors, media and press. Throughout the afternoon, each of us savored satisfying sips of wine, intriguing stories of Los Vascos and the spirit of Château Lafite Rothschild. Trust me, I discovered high quality wines from premium vineyards with each sip. And you won’t believe the affordable prices!

Just over thirty years ago, Château Lafite Rothschild purchased Los Vascos and immediately asked Claudio Naranjo, a financial consultant who assisted with the transactions, to join the team as Manager. Now, at the helm as General Manager, Naranjo has developed a true passion for wine and is the current President of the Vinas de Colchagua, a group of 14 wineries in the Colchagua Valley. He has also served as a board member of the Wines of Chile and French-Chilean Chamber of Commerce. A true embodiment of the Château Lafite Rothschild spirit of hard work and humility, Naranjo has spearheaded the development of Los Vascos from an outstanding local winery to one that is recognized internationally.

Los Vascos is a multifaceted ecosystem. It is the result of many years of observation of the surrounding nature, unconditional commitment of the local teams and endless passion. Over the years, the people of Los Vascos have managed to tame the boundless forces of surrounding nature to create a unique ecosystem where men and nature live together harmoniously. On our 30^th anniversary, we celebrate the diversity of stories at the heart of Los Vascos, and propose new ways to discover its exquisite wines. Los Vascos

Los Vascos, meaning “Basques” in honor of its Basque settlers, was enticing to those at Château Lafite Rothschile thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, optimal weather conditions, water sources, semi-arid soils of sandy clay and granitic sand and low risk of frost. Only 40 kilometers from the sea, the unique microclimate is such that vineyards are able to flourish and fine wines can be produced on a consistent basis each year. With 640 hectares under vine, Los Vascos is one of the largest vineyards in the central Colchagua Valley.

During the afternoon, Naranjo shared anecdotes and tales that continue to make this winery special. Guests learned of the Pichilemu, the name of the beach at a small fishing village where Pacific Ocean waves offer perfect surfing conditions and the air is rife with salinity, an element that enhances the palate profile of Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc. Contributing to the richness of the ecosystem on the property are the 16,000 bees who consider the estate their home; with each sip of Chardonnay, subtle notes of honey became evident.

Wild strawberries, fruits from the orchard and olive trees on the property have a sublime effect on wines that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, and Carmenère. We learned of the impact of the many sheep raised, Nubarron (an untamed stallion) and the elegant black necked swans who swoop from the sky to the oasis of Los Vascos during their migration. Finally, there is a great deal of pride towards the cork trees that were planted at Los Vascos twenty years ago and the Parronino knives, beloved by Michelin chefs for cooking and vineyard workers for cutting the vines.

Inspired by the stories, I savored the wines. Our first glass was the Rosé 2018 ($10.99), a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Mourvedre from the Colchagua Valley. Raspberry red in color, fresh strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate aromas leapt from the glass. Balanced and easy drinking, the Rose is one to seek. Pale yellow with the slightest hint of green, the refreshing Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ($10.99), from grapes cultivated in Casablanca Valley, burst with aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, melon, green apple and hints of spice and herbs; I delighted in the round mouthfeel and snappy finish. From grapes grown in Central Valley, the Chardonnay 2016 ($10.99) was bright lemon yellow in color. Wafting from the glass were vibrant aromas of apricot, bananas, white plums, green olives and butter. Creamy and exuberant, the finish was lingering.

Approachable and one to consider as an every-day Cabernet, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($10.99) of grapes from Colchagua Valley was ruby in color with notes of cherries, plums, tobacco, toffee, and black olives on the nose and palate. With food friendly acidity and moderate tannic structure, what’s not to love? The Grande Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 ($19.99) was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère from Colchagua Valley and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Ruby red in color, aromas of ripe red fruit, purple plums, white pepper, eucalyptus and chocolate led to a palate boasting generous tannins and structure. Just beautiful.

Chile’s signature grape, Carmenère, assumed center stage in the Carmenère Grande Réserve 2016 ($19.99). If you’ve never tried a quality Carmenère, look for this… A beautiful ruby red in the glass, bright red and black fruits including blackberries, cherries, plums and pomegranates were joined by notes of red and black peppers, cedar, cinnamon and olives on the nose. The palate offered those elements as well as dark chocolate. Balanced with soft tannins and bright acidity, I’ll be purchasing this soon.

Last but not least, I tasted Le Dix de Los Vascos 2014 ($64.99), a wine introduced in 1998 to celebrate Château Lafite Rothschild’s first ten years in Chile. Everyone at the tasting craved sips of this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah from the Colchagua Valley. The wine was the color of a ruby gem and on the nose, aromas of raspberries and cherries were entwined with note of baking spice, tobacco and chocolate. Big, bold and ever so balanced, Le Dix is a fitting bow to a game-changing collaboration between Château Lafite Rothschild and Los Vascos.

Happy 30^th anniversary, Los Vascos!

Cheers! ~ Cindy