I last tasted the 2014 Cab from Arboleda and was impressed. This wine is garnet in color with a nice approachable soft red berry nose. On the mid palate this is a lovely soft pinot with soft red berries, strawberries and the like coming through nicely. On the medium length finish the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity. This is a well made softer pinot that would be perfect for dishes like salmon, or poultry. I would give it an 88 or so. Sadly not in the LCBO, $19.95 a bottle. This was one of the first wines I tasted at the recent Chilean wine fest in Toronto, and was one of the best pinots of the night!
From the winery’s web site:
Origin Appellation: Aconcagua Costa Vineyard: Chilhué Locality: Quillota
Climate: Cool maritime climate, highly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean, which brings icy masses of water from the South Pole induced by the Humboldt Current. This results in cooling breezes that refresh the vines in the vineyard and promote morning fog.
Soil: The soils are formed over igneous intrusive and extrusive (volcanic) rocks in different stages of metamorphism, with a prevalence of metamorphic rocks such as schist and slate.
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.5% pH: 3.3 Total Acidity: 6.15 g/L Tartaric Acid Residual Sugar: 2.0 g/L
Vinification: The grapes were fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks over 14 to 25 days at temperatures that fluctuated between 25° and 28°C.
Ageing: Barrel Ageing: Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 10% of which were new.
Ageing Potential: 6 to 8 years
Winemaker’s Comments
Bright and clean cherry red in colour, with captivating purity and freshness on the nose and aromas of sour cherries, rosehips and subtle earthy notes. The palate impresses with mellow bloody and saline nuances, typical from this terroir. It has delicate structure, great balance and fine tannins, and finishes with a fresh and savoury mouth feel.
