Pinot Noir is notoriously one of the most finicky varieties to cultivate, especially so in extreme cool-climate regions. Considering this, the 2021 Tayu 1865 Pinot Noir is a head-turner of a wine – dark, dense, and brimming with black cherry and plum notes – all at a price that seems too good to be true. Made from fruit grown in Chile’s Malleco Valley, the southernmost winegrowing region in the country, this wine balances a high concentration of just ripe black fruit notes with sprightly acidity and gently gripping tannins. The climate of the Malleco Valley is marginal, on par with other regions perched at the edge of what’s feasible, such as New Zealand’s Central Otago region, or Germany’s Ahr region. Much like wines made the former and the latter, this wine has a distinct intensity, wrapped up in a nervy, linear structure. With just a faint hint of oak on the palate and a subtle green note, like freshly harvested tender herbs, the finish of the wine is so long and lingering, it’s hard to believe that it's under $20. Simply one of the best values I’ve had the pleasure of trying recently, this is a wine to snap up while still available.

The cork was just pulled on this about a minute ago, and already the nose is opening and really showing very prettily. There's this mélange of red and black fruit, little hints of some darker cherry, but there's also bright raspberry and a little touch of blackberry. The palate is medium with a little bit of plushness to it, there's like this little touch of crunchy fruit but it's mostly fairly ripe and juicy. The finish is fairly lengthy and there's a good amount of acidity and body here, this is just a nice little budget Pinot Noir that overdelivers. There's a little lingering minerality on the finish towards the end, but ultimately I while I feel like this would make a nice little cocktail wine I do want to have a bite with it. I just feel like a little nosh would really bring out a little more. But overall, at this price, it's a nice little wine and something I'll be bringing home when I'm not sure what I want, but I know I want it to be easy.

This super value bright star of a Pinot Noir has a fragrant nose of black raspberry and bright cherry with background scents of earthy spices and fresh (clean!) wood. In the mouth, the brightness carries over and then becomes deeper and quite generous with riper cherries, moderately dry tannins and some rather sweet baking spices. The finish is clean and on the long side and a subtle bit of minerals. Hard to beat at this quite astounding price!