Chardonnay Las Pizarras, Viña Errazuriz 2018

“I love the aromas of lavender, sandalwood, sliced apples and pears. Some gunpowder and slate undertones. Full-bodied, yet formed and tight with minerality and brightness. Vivid acidity gives this energy and depth. Drinkable, but will age beautifully.”

“2017 was not an easy act to follow, but the 2018 Aconcagua Costa “Las Pizarras” Chardonnay managed nicely. From a cool year, it has notes of white flowers and nuts and is a little lighter than the 2017, which was more structured.... It’s vertical and mineral and has nice tension, following the path of the 2015 and 2017. This is now matured mostly in 300- and 400-liter oak barrels, and the oak is nicely integrated. Only 50% of the wine went through malolactic. 6,557 bottles and 60 magnums were filled in February 2019.”

Continuing in the trend of pure, pristine and cool wines from this fantastic vineyard, the 2018 Las Pizarras is full of lime, lemon and struck match on the nose, with just a hint of buttery, baked apples. The palate is driven and linear at this stage with brilliant, vibrant acid cut. There is a generous savoury undertone from lees work and creamyness from malolactic fermentation, but the focus is the mineral, zesty fruit at the core. Tightly wound and with real focus, this has a long and piercing finish that suggests the wine will only improve with time. Drink from 2021 for a decade or more.