Pinot Noir - Chile
OK. So if you went out looking for great value Pinot and didn’t get it in New Zealand, on this evidence, Chile is where you should come. The pricing here was fantastic – particularly given that our teams also found higher quality.
Chile has often struggled a bit with Pinot in SWA, but this was a strong performance: three Golds and ten medals made it the company’s best year ever – all the more impressive since only one of our medal-winners was over £12.
The key to the change in heart from our tasters was a change in style in the wineries. Perhaps it was the 2018 vintage (which most of these were) or perhaps it was the growing presence of Leyda, but all our tasting teams picked up a much fresher, lighter style. To put it bluntly, these wines tasted like Pinot Noir, not an over-sweet, over-oaked Cabernet-Lite.
So very well done, Chile. Keep it up next year!
From The Tasting Teams
‘Chilean Pinot Noir has made a lot of improvements. They used to be intense, rich and high in alcohol, not typical of Pinot Noir generally. Now they are much fresher, red fruits, more elegant - and they pair better with food because of it.’ Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine
‘Leyda was a very pleasant flight. Before, it was more extracted fruits, oaky and high alcohol. But it’s more balanced now, with nice acidity and value for money.’ Lionel Periner, team leader
‘It would be hard for the higher-priced ones to compete with comparable wines at this same price from other parts of the world, but the quality of Chile’s wines is improving. There’s definitely a place for them on the wine list.’ Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant
‘They were showing great complexity. In the past the oak was too aggressive, but now they’re keeping the fruit as clean as possible.’ Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C
‘We found some wines here where the price to quality ratio was absolutely fantastic, expressing different terroirs and areas. There’s freshness, drinkability and versatility here.’ Filippo Pastorini, consultant
‘The Leyda wines had lovely fruit expression throughout the line-up, with lots of good value for money.’ Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns
‘They were not over-extracted like they have been in the past. There was more purity, more elegance, more fruit – and they were lighter.’ Victor Amaro, Quarter Bar at London Bridge Hotel
‘Some really stood out here, and they weren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.’ Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn