I had the pleasure of attending a tasting and lunch hosted by Francisco Baettig, Chief Winemaker for the Errázuriz group, which incorporates three flagship Chilean wineries - Viña Errázuriz, Séna and Viñedo Chadwick, all three receiving the highest scores and accolades by the world’s leading critics. Francisco was the man that produced Chile’s first perfect score of 100 Points (for their 2014 Viñedo Chadwick) which was a great success and more importantly, not a one-off. Francisco and his team have produced a string of huge scores and awards (97 to 100 point now being the norm) across the following varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which is the true mark of excellence.

The tasting took place in London’s prestigious private club, 67 Pall Mall, recently re-opened after expansion at its Sir Edwin Lutyens’ building. Shortly after being greeted by the staff with a glass of delicious Champagne, I was shown to the cellar known as St James’s room, which is not your usual cellar room – it seems as if it is filled with natural daylight, but in fact it is a rather swanky lighting system installed across the whole ceiling which makes the room bright and airy. It adds to the contemporary décor and with its own discrete entrance from Pall Mall, St James’s room offers a good sense of privacy.

I was thrilled to listen to Francisco’s passion, drive and energy. He has a clear vision a strong sense of purpose and is led only by his own beliefs rather than being guided by the corporate powerhouse that Errázuriz has become. In short, he wants to make some of the world’s finest wines. Francisco does not preach but is clearly on a journey as he wishes to change the common perception of South American wines from being unbalanced, not age worthy and simply over-blown. Francisco wants the world to see and believe that Chile is capable of so much more, which is similar to Carlo and Dante Mondavi’s philosophy as explained in Stu’s previous article ‘Dining with the Mondavi’s’.

The great thing about Francisco’s passion is that it radiates from every glass of his wine he pours – his sheer enthusiasm for the entire range does not waver (and the collection is vast). The fact that the first wine poured during the tasting was the 2015 Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay proves exactly that point. Some may consider their Aconcagua Costa range is perhaps entry-level however, Francisco baulked at such a notice and took offence.

He begun to explain the Estate’s unique site at this stage - it is the proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean and its well-drained soils, with high level of slate

and metamorphic rock, which allow Errazuriz to produce wines of exceptional complexity, depth, minerality, and natural acidity. It made perfect sense.

The tasting was focused on the flagship 2015’s and we tucked straight into Viñedo Chadwick, which I can describe as a wine of great power and elegance. Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses an exuberant nose with classic ripe blackcurrant. Stunning depth of flavor emerges on the palate. Tannins are grippy, energetic and yet refined, keeping everything intact to a finish that goes on forever.

Seña a Bordeaux-esque blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere, 12% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc was served next. There is an extraordinary energy to this wine. Immense density of flavours which keep emerging with each minute. Both wines have a great aging potential as there is plenty of lush primary fruit, which together with a good tannin structure will develop these wines for years to come.

Lunch served by the team at 67 Pall Mall was excellent and everyone was given a choice of Francisco’s wines to enjoy together with a well thought out menu. I was pleased to see, that I wasn’t the only person in the room asking for another smidge of ALL wines. We started with dill cured salmon gravlax perfectly matched with Francisco’s Chardonnay. Beautiful mineral notes and hints of citrus cut through the oiliness of the cured salmon. I was delighted to see beef wellington starring as the main course, which was cooked to perfection. Medium rare beef, intense mushroom duxelle all encased in a crisp pastry (thankfully, no soggy bottom). Wow, what a sauce – thick and mouth coating rich which worked a treat with Francisco’s flagship Seña and Viñedo Chadwick.

Just before the dessert was served, I had a lovely chat with Francisco. Of course, we exchanged quick thoughts on the wines – Francisco was a little nervous as the wines had only recently arrived from Chile (some wines do not travel well!) however, every bottle showed incredibly well. One of the questions I wanted to ask Francisco was about his own thoughts on the stunning ‘Las Pizarras’ range, which tops my personal list of outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. He smiled and begun to explain how these wines are a true labour of love shared amongst the whole team. Understanding and expressing the natural beauty of the fruit, mountainous site and oceanic climate is what makes both Las Pizarras wines utterly unique.

A generous cheese board concluded what was one of the most enjoyable mid-week tastings I have attended for a very long time. It’s a tough job…

Albeit, not party to the main thrust of my article, we recently sampled the full selection of our South American wines which re-confirmed how wonderful and very often, under appreciated they really are. Many stand shoulder to shoulder with the ‘top’ wines coming out of the US or France. Our ‘top’ recommendations are...

Las Pizarras
Pinot Noir 2015

99 Points – James Suckling

Even better than the debut and great 2014. Perfumed and vivid with strawberry, raspberry, flower leaf, cedar, stone and flint. Full body yet compacted and compressed giving it an ultra-fine palate profile. Tension and finesse. Light citrus finish. Polished to almost perfection. Seamless finish. 500 cases made. Drink now.

£76.45 per bottle

Or £312.00 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

Las Pizarras
Pinot Noir 2014

98 Points - James Suckling

Fabulous aromas of slate, rust, iron, and dried strawberries. Full body, firm tannins, wonderfully polished. Fine and caressing. Complex flavors too. A wonderful finish. Dusty texture as well. This is a small production wine from the family’s best vineyards of the Manzanar farm with pure slate soils. Full Burgundy treatment. 50% whole cluster pressing. Aged in 50% new oak. Louis Michel Liger-Belair of Burgundy consulted on this wine.

£65.00 per bottle

Vina Errazuriz Seña 2015

Arrives in the UK in March/April 2018

100 Points - James Suckling

Stunning aromas of blackcurrant, stone, blueberry and licorice. Also iodine. Floral. Perfumed. Full body, fantastic density of fruit and ripe tannins. It goes on for minutes on the palate with such energy and focus. Touch of chewiness on the finish. A complex and complete wine that delivers a generosity with firmness. Drink in 2021 but
already a classic to drink.

£490.00 In Bond per case (6x75cl)
£603.55 Duty Paid per case (6x75cl)

Contact us directly to enquire about the availability & large formats for 2015 Sena and Viñedo Chadwck.

From our library -
Vina Errazuriz Seña 2013 Double Magnum

99 Points - James Suckling

Superb aromas of black currants, rose petal and mint. Lavender and stones too. Full body with incredible fruit density. Complex, yet it's agile and bright. Tannins are perfectly polished. It builds on the palate and shows the structure of a first growth Bordeaux but remains so Chilean. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carménère, 12% Malbec, 10% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes. Even better than the amazing 2012.

£350.00 per dbl magnum

Aconcagua Costa
Syrah 2014

93 Points - James Suckling

I like the blackberry, black chocolate and dried meat character on the nose and palate. Flower too. Full body, agile and intense with spice and fresh fruit aftertaste. Very lively and beautiful.

£13.50 per bottle

Aconcagua Costa
Chardonnay 2015

92 Points - James Suckling

Linear and focused white with sliced pear and apple character. Medium to full body, honey, mineral and salty undertones. Steely and austere. Serious for the price. Fermented and aged in used barrels. Drink now.

£12.95 per bottle

Star Buy - Montes Purple Angel Colchagua 2014

98 Points - James Suckling

This has a perfect nose of blackberry, tar, black pepper, thyme, cloves and rose petal. Full body and firm and very silky and polished tannins. The finish goes on for minutes. Best ever. Great class. 92% carmenere and 8% petit verdot. Drink in 2019 but so gorgeous now.

£36.95 per bottle

Star Buy - Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2016

92 points – James Suckling 

This is focused and refined with a beautiful precision and finesse. Medium body, fine tannins, and fresh wine. Very beautiful finish. Drink now.

£13.95 per bottle

We are huge supporters of all of Dennis Durantou wines from his famous Pomerol property, L’Eglise Clinet to, and what I would describe as four stunningly good right banks, which all deliver far above their respective price tags. Each En-Primeur campaign we purchase four, full pallets of Châteaux Les Cruzelles, Montlandrie, La Chenade and Saintayme. Currently, these wines are not favoured by many Vinorium customers, which and to put simply, you are missing out some delicious, incredibly priced Bordeaux produced by a genius.

Last week marked the annual Southwold Group tasting, which the excellent Bordeaux specialist Farr Vintners hosted.  Amongst the group sat three respected critics including Neal Martin, Jancis Robinson MW and the great Steven Spurrier. 2014 Bordeaux was the vintage sampled and I believe circa 250 wines were judged over the course of two days

I have not sampled many ‘14’s since the En-Primeur campaign, which and combined with the ‘Southwold’ tasting got me thinking – It’s about time... I opened a bottle of Châteaux Les Cruzelles, Montlandrie, La Chenade and Saintayme as I was curious to see how they compare and more importantly differentiate from one another. I was also eager to understand why the Southwold Group were so openly enthusiastic with La Chenade. For value, the wine is nothing short of outstanding (as is the entire stable) and becomes my ‘Wine of the Week’ however, and despite my opening paragraph, we are close to selling out (There’s a little stock left, some cases under bond and our 2015’s will be arriving by the end of March if you wish to jump the queue).

The ’14 Les Cruzelles is sensational too...