17 February, 2023
James Suckling recognizes the 2021 vintage of Viña Errázuriz,
singling out wines as among Chile's best
During his annual visit to Chile in early February, the Senior Editor for James Suckling, Zekun Shuai,
visited Viña Errázuriz to taste the new vintages, which were all highlighted by
the publication just before their scores were announced.
“The 2021 vintage from Errázuriz is a fresh, classic vintage from the Aconcagua Valley and the Aconcagua Region, offering supple, velvety tannins with lots of red fruit and purity. Las Pizarras Chardonnay and the Syrah wines are among the best we’ve tasted.”
Among the highest-scoring wines were Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2021 with 97 points.This is the second time it has achieved this, its best ever score from James Suckling:
“Grilled fine herbs with dark olives and cocoa powder to the black cherries and Mexican chili chocolate. Fresh and full-bodied with lots of fine, structured tannins and a brilliant finish. Long and layered. Goes on and on. Much more refined than in the past. Very powdery and dusty. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 22% malbec, 8% carmenere and 7% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better from 2025.
As Suckling revealed in the publication, the Las Pizarras range was another of the high points of Zekun’s trip to Chile and the three wines from Aconcagua Costa were given outstanding scores that are replicated year after year, revealing their consistent quality. The Syrah is particularly worthy of mention with its unprecedented 97 points, this being its highest-ever score from James Suckling.
Las Pizarras Syrah 2021, 97 points: “A beautifully exotic nose, full of tangy peppercorns, wax, black cherries, dark cherries, incense and bacon. Flowers, too. Very concentrated and juicy but nothing hefty here. Tannins are really punchy and mealy. Mineral and delicious. Less new oak from 2020, with more foudre use instead. Already drinkable now, but will age beautifully. One of the best from this estate. Drink or hold.”
Las Pizarras Chardonnay 2021, 98 points: “Punchy minerals cut through the creamy lemon and limey citrus, almost like licking wet stones! Some green apples, too. Steely, with a hint of white flowers and white almond. Very transparent and vertical but this is not a typical full-bodied chardonnay, it is rather linear, tense and electric. Sharpened minerality lingers in a lengthy, mineral finish. An extremely gastronomic and mouthwatering chardonnay. Drink now or hold.”
Las Pizarras Pinot Noir 2021, 96 points: “Cigar box, pine and a hint of black pepper with some roasted red chili pepper and fresh herbs to the cassis and blackberries. I love the saline character to the full-bodied palate. The tannins are really powerful yet dusty, like biting into dark chocolate, and melt away in the juicy, long finish. Appetizing! 24% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 22% syrah and 17% malbec and 13% grenache. Already drinkable now, but better after 2025.”
La Cumbre 2021, 96 points: “A very serious and mineral nose with fresh black cherries, blackberries and a kick of Mediterranean spices and tar. Saline and beautifully structured with dense, fine-grained tannins and a long, long finish. Juicy and tightly wound. Best ever? Drink or hold.”
Villa Don Maximiano 2021, 96 points: “Cigar box, pine and a hint of black pepper with some roasted red chili pepper and fresh herbs to the cassis and blackberries. I love the saline character to the full-bodied palate. The tannins are really powerful yet dusty, like biting into dark chocolate, and melt away in the juicy, long finish. Appetizing! 24% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 22% syrah and 17% malbec and 13% grenache. Already drinkable now, but better after 2025.”
KAI 2021, 95 points: “Really fresh and dark-fruit-oriented with black olives, cigar box, roasted red capsicums and sandalwood notes. A medium- to full-bodied palate which is juicy, generous and long. 85% carmenere, 11% syrah and 4% malbec. Drink or hold.”
Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, 93 points: “Fine herbs, some raw spice, graphite, dark cherries and a hint of cocoa powder. Non-shouty and restrained, though it is quite tight and floury with medium to full body. Fresh and firm, but polished. A year that stands out for its freshness. Drink or hold.”
Aconcagua Alto Carmenere 2021, 93 points: “Dark spices, cocoa powder and dark cherries on the nose that follow through in the silky, vibrant mouth. Precise and quite long. Drink now.”
Aconcagua Costa Syrah 2021, 93 points: “Graphite, peppercorns, incense and some sweet blueberries. In the mouth it’s juicy and vibrant with an elegant medium body. Silky, very linear and polished. Delicious to drink. Enjoy now.”
Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2022, 92 points: “A pleasant limestone and mineral side followed by fresh herbs and lime. Rounded palate, fresh and medium-bodied with a saline hint towards the finish. Very dry and food-friendly. Drink now.”
MAX Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, 91 points: “Fresh herbs and blackcurrants on the nose with a hint of spice. In the mouth it’s medium-bodied with smooth, approachable tannins. Juicy and honest. Drink now.”
MAX Carmenere 2021, 91 points: “Fresh and consistent with other 2021 wines. Grilled red capsicum, cherries, cement and fresh herbs. Juicy palate with medium body and some simple but fresh cherries. Well-balanced. Honest and elegant. Drink now.”
MAX Chardonnay 2022, 91 points: “An elegant nose with an almond hint followed by sliced green apple and green pineapple. Vibrant, fresh and crunchy in the mouth with a fresh burst of acidity. Drink now.”
MAX Sauvignon Blanc 2022, 90 points: “Reductive with some green stone fruit, gooseberries and a hint of stone. Vibrant, clean and elegant with a concise, linear finish. Drink now.”
| VINTAGE | SCORE | |
| Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon | 2021 | 93 |
| Aconcagua Alto Carmenere | 2021 | 93 |
| Aconcagua Costa Syrah | 2021 | 93 |
| Aconcagua Costa Sauvignon Blanc | 2022 | 92 |