Rest of World

The 2019 Seña is a vibrant, ripe, yet incredibly refined red from this iconic estate. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Carmenère, and 4% Petit Verdot, it shows refinement of tannins, poise, and a long and stony finish. There’s tons of energy here, and a slightly smoky finish. This is quintessentially Chilean, but with real poise.

A cool year has left the 2021 Las Pizarras (arguably the pinnacle of Chardonnay production in Chile) deliciously fresh, mineral and stony with fresh lime, lemon curd and green apple fruit. Delicate white flower aromas and a tensile, steely line of acid throughout. Savoury notes linger on the long finish.

Undoubtedly one of the finest Pinots ever to be produced in Chile, the cool conditions in 2021 have left Las Pizarras fresh and pure with wild strawberry and red cherry fruit. There’s lots of mineral, chalky complexity here around the juicy core of fruit.

Romelio is found at the north of the Maule Valley, and is a field blend of mostly Malbec on decomposed granite. The grapes are picked early, meaning this wine is all about freshness and vibrancy. Delicious.

The 2020 Quebrada Chalinga is a Pinot Noir, grown 12km from the ocean in Limarí (Talinay), on granite and limestone soils. The vines were planted ungrafted in 2006. The wine is made with 50% whole bunch and was left in an infusion in an open vat. The maturation takes place in old oak barrels for 16 months. The result is full of tension, with moderately ripe fruit kept in check by fresh acidity and lifted notes of violet, citrus peel and chalk. There's a spiciness on the palate and an almost salty finish. Just over 5000 bottles were made.

This Chardonnay comes from vineyards planted in 1993 in a mini-appellation within Limari. The vines are 25km from the ocean and are on a mix of clay and limestone soil. The result is a slightly smoky, reductive white, but with the round ripeness of the new world. There is a distinct saline, iodine finish, very long and refreshing. Only old oak is used and maturation was 24 months with plenty of lees. Tiny production of around 4,500 bottles.

Deep in the glass, the nose exudes sumptuous black fruit and sweet cassis, allied to more herbal nuances. On the palate, cassis fruit leads the way, with notes of blackcurrant leaf, herbs, spice and cocoa. There is a cool-climate sense of precision, with fine tannins providing a gentle grip. Juicy, layered with an enlivening note of acidity revealed towards a long-drawn finish.

On the nose notes of dark cherry and blackcurrant, while the palate has spice and silky tannins, and a finely judged thread of acidity. This is a beautifully restrained Cabernet Sauvignon, from a talented team.

From 120 year old Pais vines, made by a legendary vineyard mapper and soil scientist, who’s worked as a consultant at some of the world’s greatest estates. It’s a peppery, floral, fragrant red, with charming acidity and a long and pure-fruited finish. Absolutely delicious: a brilliant alternative to Gamay, or to lighter cool-climate Syrah.

The top wine from Casa Lapostolle, this Clos Apalta is full of concentrated blackberry, black plum fruit, with light woody herbs and floral notes. It's rich and full bodied, with bags of potential to age, and at this early stage has lots of densely packed, ripe tannins. Focussed, polished and seriously impressive.

Undoubtedly one of the finest Pinots ever to be produced in Chile, the cool conditions in 2021 have left Las Pizarras fresh and pure with wild strawberry and red cherry fruit. There’s lots of mineral, chalky complexity here around the juicy core of fruit.

The 2019 Grus was produced with a blend of 75% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, 7% Garnacha, 2% Malbec, 2% Cariñena and 1% Petit Verdot. They use a large proportion, up to 60% whole bunch and ferment naturally in stone lagares, before transferring to a combination of foudres and concrete eggs for maturation. The result is a lovely fresh red with mineral, flinty texture, moderate alcohol and savoury complexity. Harvesting early compared to their compatriots keeps the fruit fresh and the wine bright and lively.

The 2019 Pizarras comes from three sites within Aconcagua Costa, where slate soils give the wine its name. It’s pithy and enjoyably generous, with fine yet present tannins and lots of pure fruit and floral notes. This is Burgundian in style, but with South American flair.