Produced exclusively from grapes grown in our vineyard, our 2021 harvest yielded 14,610 bottles of our Cabernet Sauvignon Piedras de Auque — an intriguing wine with herbal aromas, notes of red fruits, and white pepper. Persistent on the palate, it stands out as a fresh and fruity expression.
For those interested in the details of its production, here is a summary of this exceptional vintage:
CLIMATE
During the 2021 season, Caone experienced ideal climatic conditions for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Cool and stable temperatures, along with scarce rainfall, allowed the vineyards to reach optimal and complete ripeness, resulting in a superior-quality harvest. Despite occasional rains, the weather remained mostly dry during critical periods, enabling the grapes to develop without disease issues.
The cool temperatures promoted slow and gradual ripening, producing thicker skins and exceptional concentration of flavors and tannins. Additionally, the absence of extreme heat helped the grapes maintain balanced acidity, further enhancing grape quality.
HARVEST
The grapes were hand-harvested, beginning on March 7, 2021, exceeding all expectations. The combination of favorable climatic conditions and careful vineyard management resulted in an outstanding crop.
Wines produced from this harvest are expected to present deep flavors, well-structured tannins, and balanced acidity.
VINIFICATION
Grapes were processed the same day as harvest. After destemming, the must was kept in stainless steel tanks for 3 to 4 days of cold pre-fermentation maceration to extract the greatest amount of aromas and enhance wine complexity.
Once maceration was complete, selected yeasts were inoculated to start alcoholic fermentation. During this stage, gentle pump-overs were performed over 7 days to extract the desired notes from the grapes.
Following fermentation, a post-fermentation maceration of 7 days was carried out, completing a total 18-day maceration cycle.
Finally, the wine was aged in stainless steel barrels for 24 months prior to bottling.
SOIL
Our Piedras de Auque originates from two vineyard blocks planted in 2017 and 2018. These blocks feature a marked slope with a southwest exposure, benefiting from more afternoon sunlight.
The soil is primarily loamy, with a slightly acidic pH of 5.9. Organic matter content is around 3%, requiring ongoing work to maintain appropriate levels.