Wine Region: Elqui

(2023) From Falernia, the leading light of the Elqui Valley, way up on the fringe of the Atacama desert in Chile. This is relatively cool-climate country, and here there are notes of rhubarb and beetroot, a certain peppery character over the red and black fruits. The palate bursts with sweet, ripe and plump berries and red plum, little jammy notes of blackcurrant melt into espresso and spicy chocolate too, perhaps some American oak here adding extra sweet nutmeg spice. Bags of personality in a relatively plush and up-front style.  

(2022) A blend of Chardonnay and Pedro Ximenez from old vines in the high altitude vineyards of the Elqui Valley, some at over 2,000 metres. There's a rich and ripe character here, some dried fig and apricot, some custardy and candied notes, perhaps from the Chardonnay. There's a hint of sweetness on the palate, a hint of honey and nuttiness, a bite of bittersweet grapefruit or orange to the acids of the finish.

(2016) Big, heavy bottle for this range-topping blend, the Cab and Shiraz aged in French oak, the Carmenere in French and American oak, before blending. Deep, with mocha and cassis in abundance, a touch of graphite, and a spicy, mulberry richness. In the mouth the sweetness of the fruit fills the mid-palate, but the spice and touch of char from the barrels and tannins adds depth, and there is good acidity to keep the picture juicy and fresh, into a nice, long, fruit and spice finish. Should have a few years cellaring potential too.

(2016) A nice, soft and mellow colour, and brackeny aromas of mushrooms and briar, a warming chestnut and soft berry fruit. In the mouth it has medium body and good acidity, giving it some energy through the mid palate of those berry and briar flavours, a touch of toast and spice, and a decent length of finish.

(2016) Fairly subdued on the nose, this is about delicate lime and blossom, without the pungent mineral character of some of the best Rieslings. That story continues on the palate, where the gossamer delicacy and gentleness is pleasing, but it does just lack a bit of real character.

(2012) >From arguably Chile's most exciting Sauvignon region, Elqui on the edge of the Atacama desert. Absolutely typical (and that means excellent) aromatics here of fresh, terribly delicate pea shoots and tomato leaf perfume, leading onto a palate that is zingy-fresh, with a vibrant core of acidity that is mineral and limey, scything through the precise, cool fruity flavours. Dry in the finish, this has crowd-pleasing aromatic and flavour fireworks, but a glacial cool too.

(2012) This Syrah is also from the Elqui Valley, home of some of Chile's coolest vineyard sites. It has a terrific nose, with real perfume of game, black pepper and grilled bacon fat layered over abundant berry fruit. Silky on the palate, there's plenty of pleasing fruit density and sweetness here, really quite fat and juicy, with spice and a touch of chocolate adding more flesh, before a lean, tightening core of tannins and keen cherry-ish acidity pulls it together. A cracking Syrah for the money this.

(2010) Perhaps not quite so expressive as the Falernia bottling, with small lemon confit notes and a touch of leafiness. The palate is drier than the Falernia, with a very tight, white apple acidity and lovely fresh, zesty palate. Drier and tighter, but very delicious.

(2010) Fine, herbal nose, with lots of grassy, fresh cut green beans and ripe, peachy fruit. The palate has a lovely blast of tropical fruit, with lots of lime and lemon zest and glittering acidity. Really fresh stuff, with a nicely dry, mouth-watering finish.

(2010) Beautifully floral nose, with lovely musky aromatics and typical jasmine notes of Torrontés. Terrifically zesty palate too, with lots of crisp, juicy apple acidity and a little bit of leafy endive bite.