JAMES SUCKLING, 99 POINTS: “Great aromas of dried strawberries and fresh flowers, such as lavender. Full-bodied yet very tight and focused. Impressive tannic structure, but refined and polished. Lightly chewy. Finishes tight and refined. Best pinot of Chile. Drink after 2022, but hard to hold back.”
THE VINTAGE
The unforgettable 2018 season in Aconcagua Costa will be remembered as one of the coldest we have ever recorded in this vineyard, with a heat summation 15% lower than historic averages, mainly concentrated during January, February and March, and especially the two first months of the year, which were accompanied by abundant cloudiness. March stepped in with blue skies, blessing us with plenty of sunny days that provided the ideal conditions for our grapes to finish their ripening process on time and in excellent conditions. On the other hand, the absence of rains from November to April also favoured a slow and steady ripening process, along with impeccable sanitary conditions of our grapes.
THE VINEYARD
Sourced entirely from our Aconcagua Costa Estate from specific lots 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.
WINEMAKING
All grapes were handpicked between February 20th and February 28th and rigorously sorted out by hand before placing them directly into small open-top fermenters (15%
whole cluster). 100% of the fruit had a cold maceration at 8º to 10ºC 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 by hand helped to keep the cap moist. Las Pizarras Pinot Noir was aged for 13 months in French oak barrels, 32% new.
THE WINE
“Las Pizarras Pinot Noir 2018 displays a limpid ruby-red color with beautiful violet highlights. It owns 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.”
FRANCISCO BAETTIG, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
COMPOSITION: 100% Pinot Noir
AGEING: 13 months in French oak barrels, 32% new
