El Viejo Almacen 'Huaso de Sauzal' Chilena Pais, Cauquenes, Chile 2016
El Viejo Almacen 'Huaso de Sauzal' Chilena Pais, Cauquenes, Chile 2016
The star here is the País, which he calls 2016 Huaso de Sauzal Chilena, from grapes picked later than usual, as there was rain during March and April. All of the wines here ferment in traditional raulí wood casks. The vines are extremely old—they don't know how old—ungrafted and head-pruned in the Secano Interior traditional zone of Chile, where viticulture was without irrigation. It ferments with indigenous yeasts, without temperature control or any intervention, and the wine matures in well-seasoned, neutral oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. It's an aromatic and delicious País, with great perfume and character, mixing flowers and herbs, some spices and an earthy nuance with a volatile touch. The variety has some rustic tannins that need some food. This is possibly the best Chilena from Cancino so far. This is always among my favorite País from Chile.
93 Pts Wine Advocate