Shanken News Daily writer David Fleming reports on Viña Errazuriz, one of Chile’s oldest and most storied wine names, following a meeting with Winemaker Francisco Baettig this spring. The brand story provides insight on the winery’s efforts to gain more visibility in the U.S. market and also to reduce overall volume of around 1.25 million cases annually to about 700,000 cases by focusing on its higher end wines. As it relates to improving visibility, Fleming explains that the winery had a somewhat difficult history in the U.S. but that positive changes are afloat. So much so that Errázuriz brand’s U.S. depletions in 2019 represent a 70% growth rate compared to last year. “Errázuriz never really took off in the U.S. in previous years, but now Vintus is doing the hard work,” adds Baettig, “Little by little, we’re becoming a lot stronger.” This story is worth the full read HERE
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Errázuriz
Errázuriz Don Maximiano 2016
Aconcagua Valley
Introduced with the 1983 vintage, Don Maximiano was among the first of the new generation of “Super-Chileans.” As the flagship for the estate, the wine consistently receives top ratings from critics.
Errázuriz
Errázuriz MAX Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Aconcagua Valley
We’ll go out in a limb here and say that this is one of the world’s great values in quality Cabernet Sauvignon and, beyond that, a Cabernet that utterly reflects where it is grown. A perfect package of fresh and savory fruits and spices within a frame of juicy and supple tannins that offer both pleasure and structure.
Errázuriz
Errázuriz MAX Chardonnay 2017
Aconcagua Costa
Maximiano Errazuriz founded Errazuriz in 1870 in the foothills of Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes Mountains and the Western Hemisphere. Recognizing that this valley, with its hot, dry summers and cool Pacific Ocean breezes, was ideal for growing grapes, he sent for the finest clones from France and with tenacity and perseverance transformed this barren land into a world-class vineyard. Today, the tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant, Eduardo Chadwick.
Errázuriz
Errázuriz MAX Pinot Noir 2018
Aconcagua Costa
Hailing from a daring planting nearly 15 years ago of vineyards fewer than ten miles from the Pacific Ocean, MAX Pinot Noir is a stunning expression of Pinot Noir that we believe makes it one of the highest quality, most interesting, and most original Pinot Noirs available at its price from anywhere in the world.
Errázuriz
Errázuriz MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Aconcagua Costa
With a delightful profile that delicately manages to combine the fruity style of New Zealand and the minerality of the Loire Valley, Errazuriz has built a reputation for producing one of the most interesting Sauvignon Blancs from the Aconcagua Costa. MAX Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from the Manzanar Vineyard in Chile’s newest appellation, Aconcagua Costa. Planted by Errazuriz in 2005 and just 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the combination of cool climate and diverse, quality soils creates wines with tremendous freshness and bracing minerality.
Errázuriz
Errázuriz Chardonnay Aconcagua Costa 2017
Aconcagua Costa
Errazuriz’ Chardonnay Aconcagua Costa (formerly referred to as the Wild Ferment Chardonnay) is recognized as perhaps the top Chardonnay from South America. Errazuriz ferments its best lots of Chardonnay using natural yeast. Natural fermentation starts slower than inoculated fermentation because the yeasts must grow to sufficient numbers to transform sugars into alcohol. During this period the yeasts produce by-products which add distinctive flavors and complexity to the wine.
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Errázuriz
Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Errázuriz is recognized as perhaps the single top quality producer of Chilean wines, within recent years alone Eduardo Chadwick, President, named Decanter Man of the Year 2018, and the winery awarded Best Chilean Winery 2017 by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
