Vinedo Chadwick - Chili 2016
The 2016 growing season set the stage for an outstanding vintage for Viñedo Chadwick. A considerably cool beginning of spring marked its trend, resulting in a long hanging time that blessed us with perfectly ripened fruit, purely preserved flavors and above all, the balance and finesse that distinguishes Viñedo Chadwick.
July arrived gracefully ending the dry spell experienced during the beginning of winter. The rains extended until late in the season in November, nicely replenishing our soils throughout the growing season.
The rains were accompanied by cool temperatures, resulting in a spring that reached a heat summation that was 2% cooler than historical averages. Bud break arrived on the 28th September, one week later than the previous vintage. This was followed by a heat summation that was 33% lower than our recorded averages in October. The canopy developed gradually until temperatures started to pick up towards the end of November, turning into warmer weather that ensured a healthy flowering and fruit set.
We were blessed with a marginally warmer than average at the beginning of summer, prompting veraison to arrive as usual during the third week of January. The uneven flowering rebounded in a long veraison period. Nevertheless, a perfect Alto Maipo summer with a classic weather pattern, allowed for a long and steady hang time necessary for perfectly ripened grapes to develop.
Towards the end of the season, the grapes steadily accumulated sugar, reaching maturity with excellent balance, low alcohol levels and refreshing acidity. Due to the cool characteristics of the beginning of the season, the picking dates were 16 days later than the warm 2015, beginning on the 5th of April until the 13th. Our very precise picking timing allowed us to have all our fruit safely in the cellar just before the heavy rains arrived during the last fortnight of April, with unbelievable records of 123 mm.