Why it matters
The producer
Traditional Chilean estate houses known as casas patronales, or casonas de fundo, inspired the winery's name. Casas Patronales works with vineyards in the Maule Valley and bottles red, rosé and white wines. The named red range includes Sabio, Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Environmental respect and sustainable practices are pillars of its production process.
Casas Patronales began in the late 1980s, beginning with four hectares and apples before vineyards. By 2008, Pablo Castro participated in Casas Patronales with Nelson Murúa and Carlos Silva as his partners. The business now has vineyards in the Maule Valley and a range of red, rosé and white wines.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Pacific influence shapes the ripening climate at Cauquenes, 40 kilometres from the coast, where maximum temperatures are moderated and the ripening period lengthens. Pencahue has prolonged daytime heat during ripening and cold nights that help the grapes preserve their fruit. San Clemente sits in the Andean foothills and has a marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Casas Patronales has presence in the coastal, central and foothill sectors of the Maule Valley.
Pencahue has 177 planted hectares. San Clemente has 415 planted hectares. Casas Patronales identifies special San Clemente terroirs for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon undergo malolactic fermentation in French barrels and receive twelve to fourteen months of total ageing. Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a cold maceration for seven days at 5°C, then ferments in stainless steel at 27°C with selected yeasts. Cold maceration keeps the grapes below fermentation temperature so colour and aroma can develop before alcohol forms. Malolactic fermentation converts sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, while stainless steel provides a neutral vessel and oak ageing allows gradual oxygen exchange.
Wines to know
The range in view
The red range includes Maucho Malbec, Ñeque Cabernet Sauvignon, Sabio, Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Sabio is a three grape red made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec and 15% Carignan. Gran Reserva Carmenere is 100% Carmenere from Cauquenes in the Maule Valley. Gran Reserva Pinot Noir comes from the San Antonio appellation. Rosé and white wines complete the range.
Sabio opens with red fruit, spice and tobacco. Its palate is soft and full bodied, with balanced acidity and sweetness, sweet tannins and a long finish. Gran Reserva Carmenere shows black plum, pepper and smoke, followed by a velvety palate with silky, sweet tannins and a fresh, persistent close. Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon brings dried black fruit and toasted aromas. Mature tannins carry dried plums and vanilla through a persistent finish.