Francois Lurton Hacienda Araucano Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Cellar for up to 14 years. Decant 1 hour before serving.

Francois Lurton first started making wine in Chile in 1992, but it was only in 2000 that he realised the exceptional potential of this corner of Colchagua where the cooling influence of the nearby ocean meets the heat of the valley. He purchased seven local estates here which have been combined into a stunning 200-acre property. Francois has also embraced organic and biodynamic agriculture, certifying the estate with Demeter in 2013, and uses solar power and rainwater storage to minimise the environmental impact.

Considered one of Chile’s top Cabernet Sauvignons, Francois’ Gran Araucano wine honours the native inhabitants of Chile who were named “araucano” by the Spanish. This wine begins its life in a magnificent plot of old Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted without rootstock which was first discovered by Francois and his brother Jacques in 1997. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand, vinified over a fairly short period, and the young wine is then aged in Bordeaux barrels for 28 months.

The result is an opulent Cabernet that’s bursting with intense cassis, blackberries, and hints of rosemary and thyme. On the palate there’s a generous body with firm tannins, a well-developed structure, and luscious dark fruit that lingers on the tongue. Due to the power and concentration of this wine, it’s a good idea to decant it before serving and pair it with hearty red meat dishes.