Grape: Pinot Noir

Region: San Antonio Valley, Chile

Soil Type: The Lo Abarca Hills vineyard plantation is located on a gentle hillside slope that surrounds the town of Lo Abarca. The soil is mainly calcareous with a small percentage of clay and lime, and the vineyard has a western exposure facing the ocean. The climate is quite windy and affects grape productivity, which increases overall quality.

Winemaking: 100% barrel fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation in 60% new French oak. The wine is barrel aged for 14 months on its lees and bottled unfiltered to preserve the full expression of the wine.

ABV: 14.5%

Tasting Note
Lots of sweet morello cherry fruit on the nose, then a savoury, earthiness emerges. On the palate more sweet red fruit, raspberries, vanilla and a touch of damp undergrowth. I tried it with Pedro Ximinez-glazed pork and duck with a plum and vintage port chutney - a match made in heaven!

Cellaring
Drinking well now but will repay careful cellaring for several years.

If you like this, why not try...Cable Bay, Pinot Noir, a very Burgundian example from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Or trade up to Jim Clendenen's Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander 2002 Pinot Noir to see what North America has to offer!