A cool year on the coast of Aconcagua produced a wine with red fruit and juicy acidity, although it also seems to have accentuated the texture of the tannins, which are like sharp needles in this wine. Of the Chilean pinots, this must be the most tannic—which is not a negative in this guide, rather it indicates faithfulness to the grape. The nose is floral, and the palate is full of red fruit. Las Pizarras originates from a selection of blocks planted in 2005 and 2009, on slate soils in the Errázuriz vineyard in Aconcagua Costa, about 12 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean.

The 2022 Las Pizarras Pinot Noir is a pleasing combination of herbal, earth-tinged, candied and fragrant on the nose, revealing an ever-expanding core of elegant yet concentrated red-fruited aromas with lifted rosemary and red-pepper notes with savory, meaty nuances. The palate straddles silky and plush, bound by extremely fine, focused acidity that snaps into a taut yet explosive finish of persistent tannins and herbal flourishes that echo the energy of the nose. In addition to opening on an impressive note, this ceaselessly evolves in dimension and intensity, making for a unique and enthralling expression of Pinot Noir. It fermented with 25% whole clusters and aged 12 months in 25% new French barrique. (ML)

The 2022 Pinot Noir Las Pizarras, fermented with whole clusters, was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Cherry-red in hue, it exudes aromas of herbs, sour cherry and pink peppercorn, underscored by hints of rose and sweet bread. Dry, compact and refreshing, it glides gracefully across the palate with delicate vibrancy. This is a rare Pinot Noir that encapsulates the coastal character in its entirety. In the impressive Errázuriz Vineyard, planted in Quillota with views of the Pacific Ocean, a collection of massal and clonal Pinot Noir plots thrive in shallow slate soils. The climate, influenced by cool sea breezes and sunny evenings, imparts a unique concentration and balance to the grapes. (JH)