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Punto Alto `El Chaparro` Pinot Noir (Case of 6)
Producer
Casablanca was singled out in 2001 by Michel Laroche as the most exciting area in Chile for high quality wines...
Viña Punto Alto’s winery and vineyards are only 20 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The two vineyard sites, El Chaparro and La Vinilla comprise 25 hectares and 17 hectares respectively; they specialise in aromatic wines from Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Laroche Chablis winemaker Grégory Viennois oversees production at Viña Punto Alto. The same care is taken as in France, resulting in excellent value, cool climate wines with a distinctly French feel.
Vineyards
The Punto Alto Pinot Noir is grown entirely in the Casablanca Valley. The close proximity of the vineyards to the Pacific coast gives a cool climate that is reminiscent of the south of the Napa Valley. Both Casablanca and Napa have earned the nickname ‘the foggy valley’ given the shroud of fog that envelopes the vineyards in the morning, keeping the grapes fresh and cool, before evaporating to leave bright temperatures and warmth in the afternoon. The grapes were harvested in late March 2009.
Vintage Information
The 2009 vintage produced a record harvest in Chile so yields had to be carefully regulated. A very mild spring was followed by a warm (though not excessively hot) summer and meant that the harvest was slightly earlier than normal.
Vinification
Grapes were gently destemmed, without crushing and left for six days cold maceration in stainless steel tanks at 6ºC with two daily pumpovers before fermentation. The temperature was allowed to rise naturally and fermentation started with wild yeast. Pressing took place immediately after the end of fermentation. Total maceration time was 16 days. The wine was then matured for 12 months, 20% in stainless steel tanks and 80% in French oak barrels, from tonelleries L`Adour and Jarnac. Barrels were 33% new, 33% one year old and 33% two year old. The wine was bottled after minimal filtration under low pressure to preserve as much natural fruit character as possible.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby red in colour. On the nose it has intense aromas of forest fruits with savoury notes. The palate is generous and full, with mouth filling mulberry and spice fruit complexity, supported by gentle tannins with classy oak flavours lingering on the finish.
| Vintage |
2009 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Region |
Casablanca |
| Winemaker |
Grégory Viennois |
| Closure |
Cork |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
14.5% |
