Lontue Valley Santa Rosita 1996
The 1996 Santa Rosita is a red wine crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon in the Lontué Valley, a prominent sub-region located in the southern part of the Curicó Valley in central Chile. Situated approximately 250 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago, the Lontué Valley forms the overall Curicó appellation alongside the Teno Valley to the north, making it one of the country's most important centers for wine production.
The viticultural conditions in the Lontué Valley are defined by a predominantly Mediterranean climate with distinct seasons. The vines benefit from wet winters followed by dry, warm summer months with abundant sunlight, as well as a significant temperature difference between day and night. The local terroir features relatively fertile soils composed primarily of limestone and volcanic rock, creating an ideal environment for viticulture. Both large, established wine houses and smaller producers utilize these favorable conditions in central Chile.
The region's winemaking tradition is strongly rooted in the cultivation of classic French grape varieties. This specific wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, which is one of the world's most famous blue grapes utilized for structured red wines. While it is a signature variety in the Lontué Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon is also widely recognized for its prominence in other major global wine regions such as Bordeaux, California, Washington, and Tuscany. This 1996 vintage from Santa Rosita is bottled at 12.0% alcohol by volume.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Lontue Valley
Lontué Valley is a subregion located in the southern part of Curicó Valley in central Chile, about 250 kilometers south of the capital Santiago. The area, together with Teno Valley in the north, makes up the entire Curicó appellation and is one of the country's important centers for wine production.
The climate in Lontué Valley is predominantly Mediterranean with distinct seasons. The winters are characterized by rainfall, while the summer months are dry and warm with abundant sunlight. The region benefits from a significant temperature difference between night and day. The soil consists primarily of limestone and volcanic rock, which is relatively fertile and suitable for viticulture.
The wine tradition in Lontué Valley is strongly rooted in the cultivation of classic French grape varieties, which thrive in the local terroir. The area is especially known for the production of red wine from Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, but white wine grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc are also grown. The valley houses both large, established wineries and smaller producers, who utilize the favorable conditions in central Chile.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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