Casa Marin Pinot Noir Littoral Vineyard 2019  £21.71

CASA MARIN PINOT NOIR LITTORAL VINEYARD 

When the first vintage of the Sauvignon Blanc was released, it was heralded by Parker as the best white wine made in South America. A moment of great satisfaction for Maria Luz Marin who had to fight to be allowed to plant her vineyards in Lo Abarca, only 5km from the sea. But this is a lady who doesn't take 'no' for an answer and has a career littered with great achievements and numerous firsts. Maria Luz's vision and determination to coax world class wines from these coastal vineyards has proved Chile is capable of producing wine that can take on the world's best.

13 year old vines with yields of 4 tons per hectare. Loam, sandy soil and a coastal climate, 4km away from the ocean with average temperatures of 15°C. In summer temperatures are not higher than 28°C. Morning fogs and frosts occur in spring and early summer. No rain during growing season. Grapes are handpicked during first week of April.

Grapes are manually sorted by hand, leaving behind unwanted green materials. No crushing, just de-stemming. They must be cold macerated before fermentation for 3 days. Spontaneous fermentation at 24 - 25°C which lasted 10 days. Three punch downs per day by hand. Before fermentation is completed the wine is transferred by gravity into the French barrels where the lees are stirred for one month. Spontaneous MLF. The wine is kept for 12 months in French oak of which none new oak. No filtration, acid addition.

Aromas of bright cherry and red berry with hints of cool climate cranberry framed in whips of the smoky peat hearth fire. Flavors are bright, with a firm acid structure supporting the same fruit tones perceptible in the aroma—very persistent! The finish lingers with a long, late acid backbone carrying the red berry late into the aftertaste.