TFWATH País 2019

Made from 200-year-old dryfarmed bush vines owned by Patricio ‘Pato’ Cea (seventh-generation grower and owner of Viña Dona Luisa) located on the bank of the Bío-Bío river in the village of Millapoa, in the Bío-Bío Valley.

I made this wine with the trailblazing Roberto Henríquez, whose Santa Cruz de Coya país (also from Millapoa) inspired me to go and work with the man in this extraordinary, unspoiled wine territory. The grapes were destemmed by zaranda (a traditional Chilean bamboo stem filter) and the wine was naturally fermented before spending 12 months in used French oak barrels.

The soil on the bank of the Bío-Bío river is of fine basalt sand. That gives some firm tannin. This is not a pipeño style of país - it has more depth and structure - but the fruit is juicy and the acidity lively and refreshing. There's earthy balsamic herbs and a volcanic pepperiness. There's a smokiness to the deep black fruit, which reminds me of a northern Rhône syrah or Austrian blaufränkisch, but also some tart red fruit character, as well as well integrated oak smokiness. I don't know any other país like it - which is brilliant. 

13% vol.

Unfined and unfiltered. 75cl. Contains sulphites.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.