2015 Las Pizarras Pinot Noir

Comparator for RST Pinot Noir from Litueche in Rapel Costa. Pale ruby. Gentle herbal character typical of stem use lifts scented strawberry and red cherry fruit, with notable vanilla and cinnamon oak tones. Pure and precise, with an underlying ripeness that translates to the palate, and relatively light, chalky tannins. But also somewhat short – young vines perhaps? (TJ)

Same as with the white, the red from the slate soils is also in its second year with the 2015 Aconcagua Costa "Las Pizarras" Pinot Noir. The 2014-2015 growing season was slightly warmer than the historical average, with a dry spring and summer. They used 15% full clusters for the fermentation with native yeasts after a cold soak of five to seven days. The wine matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 13 months. This is an elegant, perfumed and harmonious Pinot, with better integrated oak than the previous 2014. The palate is medium-bodied with very clean flavors and a tasty, mineral sensation, with notes of sour cherries that transported me to the Côte de Nuits with that freshness, texture and depth that is gobsmacking. 6,404 bottles were filled in May 2016.

Red fruit, tart acid, smooth and textured. Not much complexity of flavour. Perhaps just too young. Doesn't seem to have the same aromatic reach as their Pizarras Chardonnay – yet? (RH)