An intense purplish-red in color. The nose offers blackberry and blackcurrant with attractive hints of cedar, bay leaf and marjoram. Indulgent in the mouth, the terse tannins of the region structure the rich, intense palate before the long, fruity finish. Here, the winery has found a way to mitigate the effects of the warm year.
94 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING
93 POINTS VINOUS
90 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE
Haras de Pirque Albis is an elegant and captivating blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. Albis is the first wine produced by the Antinori family in Chile and its name celebrates the dawn of a new day in viticulture. It represents the unification of two hemispheres, the Old and New Worlds, with the specific aim of crafting a great wine in the heart of the Maipo Valley. It is a rich, well-balanced organic wine with a long persistent finish.
Haras de Pirque is a Chilean wine estate located in the Upper Maipo Valley, principally known for its red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
The property was founded as an equine stud farm (a haras) and racing stable in 1892, a function continued to this day alongside winegrowing. The winemaking operation was founded in 1991 by Eduardo Matte, with the high-profile Italian winemaking family the Antinoris becoming 50 percent shareholders in 2004, after collaborating on the Albis Cabernet-Carmenère blend in 2002.
All wines are made from estate-grown fruit; the vineyards were planted in 1992 and extend to around 120 hectares (300 acres). Plantings are mainly covered by the aforementioned red grapes plus some Cabernet Franc and Syrah.
White wines are principally covered by Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
All vineyards have been certified organic since the 2013 vintage. Vines are planted on their own root systems and grapes are harvested by hand.
The unique winery was built in 1999. It is designed in the shape of a horseshoe, with sections rising in steps up the hillside to allow gravity-fed flow of juice and wine. Wines are fermented in barrel and aged in French oak.
The winemaking is overseen by the famous Italian consultant enologist Renzo Cotarella.
Pairing Suggestions: Beef and Venison
Maturation: It matured in French oak barrels for 18 months.
