2016 Las Pizarras Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
I also tasted two consecutive vintages of the slate Pinot Noir, and the oldest of the two is the 2016 Aconcagua Costa "Las Pizarras" Pinot Noir, which fermented with 18% full clusters in open vats after a cold soak and had a 20-day maceration. It matured for some 14 months in French barriques, 33% of them new. It has that iodine-like or fresh blood note I associate with schist and iron soils. This seems fresher and more precise than the previous 2015, unlike what I saw in the Chardonnay bottlings. It's nicely textured, with ultra refined tannins that provide some grip and stick to your teeth. 6,500 bottles were filled in May 2017.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright cherry red. Slightly dull occluded nose but good pure direct fruit with a definite mineral edge. Precise and rewarding though with quite high acidity. (JR)
The 2016 Pinot Noir Las Pizarras is another wine that’s all from the rocky, slate soils of their estate vineyard. Mostly destemmed (82%) and aged 13 months in 33% new French oak, it offers a gorgeous perfume of ripe raspberries, strawberries, mulling spices, and exotic flowers. Beautifully textured, balanced, and layered, with a touch of minerality on the palate, it has vibrant yet integrated acidity, loads of sweet fruit, and a good finish. This terrific Pinot Noir will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade or more.
The mineral, stone, slate and violet aromas are superb. Full body, dense and silky texture. So much beautiful fruit yet it's so reserved and refined. Layered and complete. Fantastic acidity at the finish. Iron, iodine and oyster. Long finish. Superb follow up to the 2015. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Since Eduardo Chadwick took over Viña Errázuriz in 1983, the estate has forged a path for fine, Chilean wine. From its home in the Aconcagua Valley, this estate crafts some of the country’s top wines, including the flagship Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve and the Las Pizarras wines.