Don Ercilla
Maule Valley DO, Chile
A taste of Chilean spirit that is both distinct and delicious
ABOUT THIS WINE:
Don Ercilla
50% Merlot – 40% Cabernet Sauvignon – 10% Carménère
With opulent dark fruit flavors, soft textures, and savory spice, our Don Ercilla features 50 percent Merlot, 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10 percent Carménère. A Maule Valley classic, this exciting blend reveals a story rooted in Chile’s history, and it tells a tale of mistaken identity and the origin of this distinctly Chilean blend. When Carménère first arrived in Chile from France in 1850, it was mistaken as Merlot. For years it was planted alongside Merlot vines and used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon. It wasn’t until 1994 that DNA testing revealed these vines to be Bordeaux’s “extinct” variety, Carmenérè. This three-varietal blend has since become one of Chile’s signature styles, so enjoy a taste of Chilean history by sharing this wine and its unique story with family and friends. Scroll through the image carousel above to learn more about this wine.
ABOUT THIS WINE
Don Ercilla
50% Merlot – 40% Cabernet Sauvignon – 10% Carménère
With opulent dark fruit flavors, soft textures, and savory spice, our Don Ercilla features 50 percent Merlot, 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10 percent Carménère. A Maule Valley classic, this exciting blend reveals a story rooted in Chile’s history, and it tells a tale of mistaken identity and the origin of this distinctly Chilean blend. When Carménère first arrived in Chile from France in 1850, it was mistaken as Merlot. For years it was planted alongside Merlot vines and used in blends with Cabernet Sauvignon. It wasn’t until 1994 that DNA testing revealed these vines to be Bordeaux’s “extinct” variety, Carmenérè. This three-varietal blend has since become one of Chile’s signature styles, so enjoy a taste of Chilean history by sharing this wine and its unique story with family and friends. Scroll through the image carousel above to learn more about this wine.
WINE REGION:
Maule Valley DO
When it comes to well-balanced reds of great value, Chile's Maule Valley is hard to beat. The southernmost part of Chile's Central Valley, Maule is a large sub-region with many microclimates and soil types. The Maule River and the nearby Pacific Ocean both greatly influence its climate. Maule was one of the first places in Chile planted with grapevines. It is famed today for its 100-year-old Carignan vines and the densely sumptuous wines they produce. More typical, however, are its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, spicy aromatic Carménère and plush Merlot reds. For whites, check out Maule's cheery Sauvignon Blanc and rounded Chardonnay. Chile’s Denominación de Origen (DO) classification system focuses on separating wines by the physical location of origin. To use the DO classification on a label, a producer must have pulled 85 percent of the fruit used in a wine from a defined regional location. The DO system names wine regions in the country from north to south.
WINE REGION
Maule Valley DO
When it comes to well-balanced reds of great value, Chile's Maule Valley is hard to beat. The southernmost part of Chile's Central Valley, Maule is a large sub-region with many microclimates and soil types. The Maule River and the nearby Pacific Ocean both greatly influence its climate. Maule was one of the first places in Chile planted with grapevines. It is famed today for its 100-year-old Carignan vines and the densely sumptuous wines they produce. More typical, however, are its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, spicy aromatic Carménère and plush Merlot reds. For whites, check out Maule's cheery Sauvignon Blanc and rounded Chardonnay. Chile’s Denominación de Origen (DO) classification system focuses on separating wines by the physical location of origin. To use the DO classification on a label, a producer must have pulled 85 percent of the fruit used in a wine from a defined regional location. The DO system names wine regions in the country from north to south.
FLAVOR PROFILE:
Pairs well with…
Empanadas, Pulled Pork, Bacon Wrapped Roasted Figs
Pairs well with…
Empanadas, Pulled Pork, Bacon Wrapped Roasted Figs
FLAVOR PROFILE
Pairs well with…
Empanadas, Pulled Pork, Bacon Wrapped Roasted Figs
Pairs well with…
Empanadas, Pulled Pork, Bacon Wrapped Roasted Figs
TASTING NOTES:
Fig
Dried Herbs
Cloves
Merlot is responsible for our blend’s softness and body, Cabernet contributes dark fruit characteristics, and Carménère adds savory notes and spice. The final blend is plush, full-bodied, and complex. Flavors of black plum and fig create a rich palate with hints of olive tapenade layered over cardamom and clove.
TASTING NOTES
Fig
Dried Herbs
Cloves
Merlot is responsible for our blend’s softness and body, Cabernet contributes dark fruit characteristics, and Carménère adds savory notes and spice. The final blend is plush, full-bodied, and complex. Flavors of black plum and fig create a rich palate with hints of olive tapenade layered over cardamom and clove.
AWARDS:
Don Ercilla
2 TOTAL AWARDS
Silver Medal, 2022 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2022 Winemaker Challenge
AWARDS
Don Ercilla
2 TOTAL AWARDS
Silver Medal, 2022 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
Silver Medal, 2022 Winemaker Challenge
ABOUT THE BRAND:
Don Ercilla
In the mid-1500s, Alonso de Ercilla wrote “La Araucana.” This epic poem is a first-hand fictionalized account of the long-running conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people of Chile, in which Ercilla portrays the native Araucanians as the champions. This literary work has become a national symbol of heroism and pride in Chile. At Don Ercilla, we too pay homage to the people, the culture, and the land worth fighting for. Working in the historic Maule Valley, it is our passion to craft wines that reflect Chile's character, unforgettable stories, and passion for life.
ABOUT THE BRAND
Don Ercilla
In the mid-1500s, Alonso de Ercilla wrote “La Araucana.” This epic poem is a first-hand fictionalized account of the long-running conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people of Chile, in which Ercilla portrays the native Araucanians as the champions. This literary work has become a national symbol of heroism and pride in Chile. At Don Ercilla, we too pay homage to the people, the culture, and the land worth fighting for. Working in the historic Maule Valley, it is our passion to craft wines that reflect Chile's character, unforgettable stories, and passion for life.