What is a Cru ?
Fermenting smaller blocks of Truquilemu separately over 12 harvests two distinct personalities emerged. A triangular block closer to the creek next to the vineyard has less natural yield. It developed greater concentration and a darker more brooding personality. So we fermented it with more stems and mostly Nadalie Noisette Toast barrels 3-4 use, and introduced a smidgeon of Syrah [from the other side of the creek] to lend weight, depth and texture.
We have bottled it separately from our Truquilemu Vineyard since 2018. 2020 will be released shortly having almost 2 years in bottle (min) before release.
Cru is NOT the cream off the top of our well-known Truquilemu V., nor does it have more oak, but rather it is a second of two wines with distinct personalities from the same vineyard. Each is treated differently to accentuate its distinct personality.
- Cru is born a more sturdy wine with extra stuffing and more tension. She benefits from a kind of buttressing effect that more liberal inclusion of stems produces.
- Truquilemu V. has become more ethereal for the separation.
In 2018 both wines have less alcohol, and more flavour than ever, but most of all they reveal more layers [capas] with time.
Both will develop for many years (10+) given their bright natural acidity and precisely captured fruit-based tannins, but Cru is destined for longer life in bottle.