Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir

Errazuriz’s philosophy is best expressed by Don Maximiano who said, “From the best land, the best wine.” Vina Errazuriz believe in the concept of ‘terroir’ and strive to produce the finest wines by controlling every stage of the winemaking process, from grape growing in the Aconcagua and Casablanca valleys, to winemaking with the most natural techniques. An emphasis is placed on the delicate handling of the wines, with the aim of producing wines with elegance and complexity.

Pinot Noir,

Sourced entirely from Errazuriz's Aconcagua Costa Estate from specific blocks that have a significant component of metamorphic rock including slate (pizarras, in Spanish). Given the extremes of this cool climate site, as well as the uniqueness of its soils and elevations, each small block ripens at its own pace. Its proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean and its well-drained soils, with high level of slate and metamorphic rock, allow the Estate to produce Pinot Noir of exceptional complexity, depth, minerality and natural acidity.

All grapes were handpicked between February 20th and February 28th and rigorously sorted out Hand before placing them directly into small open-top fermenters (15% whole cluster). 100% of the fruit had a cold maceration at 8‰ to 10‰C for 4 to 5 days before starting fermentation with native yeasts, followed by an extended average maceration period of up to 20 days. Daily gentle punch downs made Hand helped to keep the cap moist. Las Pizarras Pinot Noir was aged for 13 months in French oak barrels, 32% new.

Las Pizarras Pinot Noir 2018 displays a limpid ruby-red colour with beautiful violet highlights. It has a complex nose reminiscent of rose hip, murtilla (Chilean guava), sour cherries and a refreshing, spicy bergamot - like tone, accompanied by soft marzipan and dried fruit notes. On the palate, it also unwinds with complexity and consistent with the nose, being dominated by fresh red fruit, blueberries and floral notes, revealing some tones that remind of moistened earth, citrus fruits, sweet spice and some toasted bread. A very-well-structured wine, with elegant and fine tannins that provide a tactile sensation reminiscent of chalk. It also displays an admirable balance between amplitude and length, which speaks of a wine with excellent power and freshness that culminates with an harmonic and very persistent finish.

Drink with roast duck served with rosemary potatoes.