Las Condes Merlot

The success story of Las Condes, part of Santa Carolina, began over 140 years ago. Luis Pereyra Cotapos, in collaboration with French winemaker Germain Bachelet, founded the winery in 1875 to produce Chile's finest and most affordable wines. And they more than succeeded, as the winery received the "New World Winery of the Year" award from Wine Enthusiast in 2015. And that's reserved for only the very best wineries, and that's Las Condes. They're still known today for the no-nonsense nature of their wines: smooth wines at affordable prices.

Wood aging for the Las Condes Merlot

The Merlot grapes are planted in the rich soil structure of the Central Valley. The old and vigorous plants have deep roots, allowing them to easily absorb nutrients and moisture. This is essential, as summers can be very long and hot. The Merlot grapes also benefit from the cooling winds blowing over the Andes Mountains. This provides the perfect coolness for the harvest, allowing the grapes to retain their natural freshness. After the harvest, which takes place at night, all the bunches are inspected at Las Condes. Only the finest bunches are pressed, and a portion of the wine undergoes four months of oak aging. Both French and American oak barrels are used to give this wine greater depth.

Soft and full, this Chilean Merlot

A wine worth every penny, because it's so perfectly crafted. The rich aroma of this red wine offers hints of plums, blackcurrants, blueberries, berry jam, and light oak. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with plenty of black fruit, reminiscent of plums, cherries, and berries. The finish is smooth and lingering, leaving a rich, lingering flavor.