2005 Viña Maquis Lien Red Wine
Tasting Notes
Maquis Lien has a deep red-violet color, with an amazing intensity and complexity on the nose. The nose shows a fruit that is characteristic of its origin and prevailing variety, the syrah, for freshness, cleanness and ripeness, such as blackberries, acid cherries and prunes. Carmenere provides black chocolate and spice notes, while Malbec adds floral characteristics.
In the mouth, cabernet franc and petit Verdot provide a firm but very balanced structure, with a volume that fills the medium palate with ripe, sweet and round tannins. It presents red and black fruits, and spices along with an acidity that offers strength and freshness.
The wood, 100% French, is a complement that provides sweet chocolate and vanilla notes, making it more complex and elegant.
The Origin
Maquis Lien is crafted from grapes grown at a unique vineyard site in the heart of the Colchagua Valley and is a blend of Syrah, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. No two vintages are alike, as the percentage of each varietal used change from year to year in order to highlight the unique qualities of that year as well as the exceptional terroir of the Colchagua Valley. A "Super Chilean" wine, Maquis Lien combines power and supple fruit with elegant refined tannins.
In Chile's native Mapuche language, lien means "silver metal"—a reference to colonial Spanish coins that were once melted to make fine jewelry, like the silver lizard that is depicted on the Maquis Lien label.
Viticulture and Winemaking
A long absence of rains and higher than normal temperatures marked the beginning of the 2005 season on through the end of February. This caused smaller grape berries, resulting in concentrated flavors and a decrease in productions. From early March onwards temperatures were lower than normal, which allowed us to calmly wait for the optimal ripeness point and to maintain an interesting acidity in Maquis Lien 2005 that gives it good freshness.
All grapes were handpicked, beginning with our Syrah and Malbec vineyards in mid-March, followed by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot toward the end of March and ending with Carmenere in April. Consequently, we had very balanced, high concentrated gapes, with ripe and round tannins that make of the 2005 harvest an exceptional wine harvest.Bunches and berries are hand sorted, stemmed and submitted to cold maceration (9-11° c) for a period of 3 to 6 days where the juice gains color, bouquet and volume. After fermentation the wines experience another post-fermentation macerations for 7-10 days. Maquis Lien is aged in 100% French barrels for a duration of 10 to 14 months.
Learn more about the varietals featured in Maquis Lien Colchagua red wine.
Technical Information
Alcohol: 14.5 % vol
Total Acidity: 3.83 g/l
Ph: 3.5 g/l
Residual Sugar: 2.96 g/l
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Past vintages of Maquis Lien
Maquis Lien wine ratings and reviews
Where to buy Maquis Lien
Maquis Lien red wine blend and the varietals used