Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir

Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir is a cool-climate Pinot Noir produced by Errazuriz at their Anconcagua Valley estate. The estate’s cool climate, terroir and proximity to the Pacific combine to produce a Pinot noir of great complexity, depth, minerality and natural acidity. Only available in limited quantities. One of Chile’s best Pinot Noirs is available to buy from Fareham Wine Cellar.

“…The latest set of Las Pizarras bottlings is outstanding…” Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate.

Las Pizarras Wines by Errazuriz

The Errazuriz Las Pizarras range of wines consists of a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, sourced from specific blocks of vines on the Errazuriz estate.

A five-year soil study by renowned French geologist Françoise Vannier-Petit, combined with an intimate knowledge of the vineyards, has helped identify these “grand cru” sites, which have a high proportion of metamorphic rock, including slate – indeed, “pizarras” is the Spanish name for slate.

The cool climate location, uniqueness of its metamorphic-rich soils and elevations enable each small plot to ripen at its own pace, while the closeness to the cold Pacific Ocean and well-drained soils contribute to high quality grapes with exceptional complexity, depth, minerality and natural acidity.

Las Pizzara Pinot Noir Vineyards

The grapes for the Errazuriz Las Pizarras Pinot Noir from the 220-hectare Don Maximiano Estate consist of various plots of vineyards centred around Panquehue in the Aconcagua Costa Valley.  The Pinot Noir grapes come from 3 specific plots near Quillota, 12kms from the Pacific Ocean:

• Plot 18 – Volcan Poniente – 8 Hectares
• Plot 32 – Salvador – 3.1 Hectares
• Plot 55 – Quincho Pizarrras Volcanico – 0.7 hectares

The soil of these three plots is highly influenced by metamorphic rocks. The weathering of this substratum occurs and increases along vertical fissures (joints), producing loamy residual materials. This important weathering allows a good development of the root system in the deeper layer, giving our wines their
characteristic minerality, complexity and freshness

Las Pizarras Pinot Noir Winemaking

• Harvest:
  • Grapes were hand-picked between February 20th and March 10th.
  • Clone 777 is used for Pinot Noir, a “Dijon” clone originating in Burgundy.
  • Harvesting occurred in the morning.
• Selection:
  • Grapes underwent a double selection process before fermentation.
• Fermentation:
  • Grapes were placed in small open tanks.
  • 2% of the grapes were whole-cluster.
  • 60% of the fruit underwent cold maceration at 8°–10°C for 2–3 days before fermentation.
  • Total maceration time ranged from 11 to 20 days.
• Ageing:
  • Wine was aged for 12 months.
  • Aged in 300 and 400-litre French oak barrels.
  • Barrel composition: 55% new barrels, 45% used barrels.

Errazuriz Estate: Since 1870

Viña Errazuriz was founded in 1870 when Don Maximiano Errazuriz planted his first vineyards at Panquehue in the Aconcagua Valley, some 100 km north of the capital, Santiago. The tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant, Eduardo Chadwick, the fifth generation of his family to be involved in the wine business.

Errazuriz is a pioneer producer of the Aconcagua Valley and is well-known for its innovative approach to winemaking. They produce a range of quality, great value estate wines, as well as a series of icon wines including Don Maximiano, KAI Carmenere and Las Pizzaras Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.