EL DELIRIO RESERVE

El Delirio Reserve
Merlot
Variety: Merlot
Vintage: 2003
Valley: Maule/Rapel
Final Blend: Merlot 100%
Chemical Analysis
Alcohol: 13.5
PH: 3.73
Total acidity: 4.84 g/l (tartaric)
Residual sugar: 2.92 g/l
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Climate: 
Relatively warm days, with cool evenings extending through the morning hours.
Soil: 
Hillside planting on rocky clay loam soils with good drainage and low vigor.
Harvest date: 
February and March.
Harvest: 
Hand—picked into half—ton bins. Cluster selection on the vine, with leaf removal prior to vintage. Harvested only in the morning hours to keep the fruit cool.
Winemaking: 
Gently crushed and de—stemmed. Pre—fermentation maceration for three days at 59ºF (15ºC). Primary fermentation in stainless steel fermenters at 77-82ºF (25-28ºC).
Bottling date: 
December 2003.
Wine Description
Appearance: 
Dark, almost opaque garnet red with purple highlights.
Aromas: 
Intense aromas of leather, blackberry, candied fruit, and spices reminiscent of cloves, nutmeg, and licorice, with strong smoky oak accents.
Palate: 
Gentle on the front palate, opening to full fruit flavors in the mouth—filling middle. Chalky, well—integrated tannins lend a solid structure. Medium—bodied and long on the finish, the wine is still somewhat closed but is already showing a fine integration of fruit and oak. While unpretentious, our Merlot exhibits the best characteristics of the variety in an easy—drinking style. It has impressive concentration, intense color, and remarkable richness, complexity, and intensity in the mouth. The oak accents harmonize with the bright fruit.
Serving suggestions: 
Pairs well with roast beef au jus, fresh—water fish, and soft—ripened cheeses. The wine is enjoyable now and can be cellared for five years to reach its harmonious best. Serve at 68ºF (20ºC).