Chilean Pinot Noir & Syrah Tasting

Twice a year I get an opportunity to participate in an 8 bottle tasting run by the folks at Wines of Chile. Previous tastings have occurred around the same time as disasters (earthquakes or the trapped miners), but this time everything was fine, and we also got a chance to see how Chilean Pinot Noir is quickly getting better and more refined.

I loved the format for this one, since it broke the tasting into four Pinot Noirs and four Syrahs. It also explored a few valleys that we haven't visited before, like Limarí and the Lolol within Colchauga. One of these days I'll get to scratch Bio Bio off the list.

2009 Valdivieso Reserva Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
100% Pinot Noir
$17, 14.5% abv.
Strawberry, with touches of leather and oak.

2009 Viña Casablanca Nimbus Estate Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
100% Pinot Noir
$20, 14.5%
Strawberry, light, mild, round. This and the Valdivieso are pretty equivalent to New Zealand Pinot Noir in the same price range.

2009 Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
100% Pinot Noir
$20, 14%
Some bacon fat, leather, very thin body, mild, no noticeable tannins. This was my favorite Pinot Noir of the tasting, and one that made me really crave salmon.

2008 Cono Sur Ocio Pinot Noir
Casablanca Valley
100% Pinot Noir
$65, 13.9%
Blackberry and boysenberry, tart and firm acidity, almost too much. Probably too early to taste this one, as it reminded me of young Barolo.

Despite the improving performance of Chilean Pinot Noir, I still preferred the Syrahs overall. The Tamaya and Loma Larga were clear favorites.

2009 Tamaya Syrah Reserva
Limarí Valley
97% Syrah, 3% Viognier
$17, 13.3%
Black cherry touch of licorice, nice fruit but mellows out beautifully over about two hours, whereupon it becomes perfect. Probably even better in a couple of years, and it's always nice to see that dash of Viognier in there.

2006 Loma Larga Syrah
Casablanca Valley
100% Syrah
$29, 14.5%
Tobacco, green pepper, black cherry on the flavor, properly softened tannins. One of the strangest yet most delicious Syrahs I've ever had. It had much more of a Bordeaux profile than Rhone.

2009 Undurraga T.H. Syrah
Leyda Valley
100% Syrah
$25, 13.7%
Black pepper, leather, coffee, meaty, barnyard, tart raspberry finish, soft tannins. Lots going on here, and again, I think it will get better in a few years.

2009 Hacienda Araucano Reserva Syrah
Lolol Valley
100% Syrah
$13, 14.5%
Dark plum and spice, stewed fruit, touch of ash. I probably would have moved this up to the top of the Syrah list, since it had the most subtle flavors. Unlike the other Syrahs, I'd save this one for a milder pork dish.


Note: These wines were received as samples.