Montgras Ninquen

This is the crown jewel of the Gras family, who founded the Montgras winery in 1993. Since then, the winery has grown rapidly and acquired many beautiful vineyards. Hernán and Eduardo Gras always wanted to make a top-notch Chilean wine that would be remembered as excellent or exceptional. Well, they've succeeded with their flagship wine, the Ninquen. The word Ninquen literally means a flat area on the mountain. That's also where the old vines for this top-notch wine are located. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes grown in the Colchagua wine region are used.

Completely hand-harvested for this red Ninquen

The vineyard's location is truly unique; the bunches receive ample sunshine but are also kept cool by the wind blowing through the vines. The sharp drop in nighttime temperatures further cools the grapes, creating a unique slice of Chile. The ancient vines have been growing in the rich soil for decades, giving the grapes their strength and richness. This harvest is therefore unique and is harvested entirely by hand, ensuring only the finest bunches are used for Montgras's top-quality wine.

Wood aging for the Montgras Ninquen

After harvest, the skins are aged for a full thirty days to extract the wine's skins. After this, the black juice is ready to be aged in oak barrels for at least fourteen months. Yes, it will be an unforgettable wine. Ninquen is produced in limited quantities, so it's not always available. Fortunately, we receive some of this superb wine every year, and we're thrilled with it. Once the bottle is opened, the celebrations begin with streamers and balloons. It smells of red fruit, blackcurrants, wild strawberries, a touch of cedar, vanilla, and cocoa. Upon pouring, we see a very dark color with a beautiful, light purple shimmer. Nosing the glass of Ninquen, we noted numerous impressions of black fruit, spices, vanilla, licorice, cedar, and a touch of anise. The taste is enchanting, with rich notes of black fruit and spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, and anise. On the back of the tongue, a beautiful interplay of tannins and notes of vanilla, cedar, berries, and blackberries. The long, ripe finish lingers and deserves a nice piece of red meat. What a perfect combination.