Our Red Wine Blend
In Maquis Lien’s blend, each component plays an integral role in creating our signature wine.
Syrah: The flesh of Maquis Lien, it typically comprises a majority of the cuvee. Our Syrah provides a core of Bing cherry and bacon notes, while the palate offers fleshy tannins and a balanced level of acidity that keeps the fruit flavors fresh and lively. In dry vintages, we handpick the small Syrah grapes for the most concentrated flavor. During rainy vintages, we rigorously discard dilute bunches. Syrah is usually harvested between late March and early April. We handpick no more than 10 to 12 bunches per vine. It is aged for about 12 months in “used” French oak barrels to soften the palate while enhancing the fresh fruit flavors.
Carmenere: Typically the latest ripening variety, it does better on vintages where there is no rain until very late in the fall (mid May). On good vintages our Carmenere smells like graphite and ripe blackberries, with silky and elegant tannins. These tannins are the skin of Maquis Lien. We pick most of the Carmenere grapes between late April and early May. We only pick 6 to 8 bunches per vine in Carmenere. It ages for around 12 to 14 months in second and third use French oak barrels.
Cabernet Franc: Is the skeleton of our wine. We used Cabernet Franc for this first time in 2004 with great success. Cabernet Franc works together with Petit Verdot to give Maquis Lien structure (like a skeleton for the human body), which holds all the other components together and gives the wine a longer aging potential. Cabernet Franc also contributes the spice and tobacco elements on the nose. We pick the thick-skinned Cabernet Franc grapes in mid April. It ages for about 14 months in new and second use barrels.
Petit Verdot: Usually accounts for about 10% of Maquis Lien’s blend. In the palate, it is the most powerful of all of the components—it adds backbone, structure and power to the palate while adding floral and tar notes on the nose. It ages for 12 to 14 months in new and second use French oak barrels.
Malbec: Always accounts for 7 to 8% of Maquis Lien’s blend. It is the earliest ripening variety on our estate. We start picking Malbec in mid March. Our Malbec is planted in a tongue of land located right next to the Chimbarongo Creek. Here, the maximum summer temperatures are lower which contributes to the development of aromatics. Our Malbec smells like ripe peaches, flowers and red fruit and gives Maquis Lien its unique nose. It ages for about 8 months in third or fourth use French oak barrels.
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Maquis Lien's current vintage
Past vintages of Maquis Lien
Maquis Lien wine ratings and reviews
Where to buy Maquis Lien
