Cabernet Sauvignon San Juan de Pirque Vineyard #81
WHY WE LOVE IT
- San Juan de Pirque is a single vineyard parcel in the Alto Maipo Valley originally planted by William Fevre in the 1980’s via missal selection and sits in an ancient dried tributary of the Rio Clarillo.
- Irrigation is via classic Maipo flood technique and the farm has its own water direct from the gorge.
- At 3,200 feet above the sea this vineyard is a rare example of Chilean “mountain” Cabernet Sauvignon.
Varietal Composition: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Cabernet Franc
Elaboration: Fermented with native yeasts, low intervention, punch down in open-top fermenters at 976 meters above the sea this vineyard is an extreme example of Cabernet Sauvignon in Maipo Andes. Barrel aged over two winters in French barrels of various cooperages with two or more uses.
Tasting Notes: “This is a very recognizable Cabernet with lots of fresh herbs, eucalyptus, garrigue, blackberry leaf, blackcurrant compote, cedar, tobacco and vanilla. Full body, juicy and round tannins and a round finish.” – James Suckling
PRESS
2016 – 92 Vinous | 93 Wine Advocate | 94 James Suckling
2017 – 93 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Derek Mossman, his wife Pilar Miranda, and Dr. Alvaro Peña are producing 1,500 cases total per year of old-vine Carignan, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with fruit sourced from small growers in Maule and Maipo.
Winemaking here veers towards the “natural” spectrum – all wines are fermented with native yeast, see no additions of any kind, very little new wood, and are low in sulfites. Punch downs are by hand, and pressing is done in a small traditional basket. You may notice slight variation in bottle thickness and shape if you were to open up cases, as Derek Mossman takes recycling to the next level and actually reuses old bottles, bottling in salvaged, used wine bottles in partnership with a recycling company located near the winery. Derek is also the founder of M.O.V.I. (Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes), Chile’s exciting, fast-growing association of independent vintners.