I really had Pinot Noir on my mind this week. Perhaps this isn’t exactly a surprise because I drink a lot of it (don’t all wine lovers?) as you will see from the number of Pinot Noir reviews I’ve done at the bottom of this post! But this week, there was a little extra oomph in my step as I picked up a bottle that I recognized and knew would be a good quality example to showcase Pinot Noir from somewhere possibly unexpected. How did I know? Well, I’ve visited this producer before and let’s just say, they are noteworthy! :)

And with that, let’s get into this week’s wine pick!

2016 Matetic EQ Granite Pinot Noir

This week’s wine comes from the Casablanca Valley, a cool area on the west side of this relatively narrow country, that is located just inches away (metaphorically speaking) from the Pacific Ocean. The Casablanca Valley is a well-established destination for cool-climate expressions of certain grapes, especially in a Chilean context, and there are some beautiful wines being made here. This is one such example.

What does this wine cost?

$22.95. A very well-priced Pinot Noir at this quality level.

What in the (wine) world is EQ?

Maybe I’ve been a bit cheeky by adding this in but hey, let’s be honest, wine labels can be REALLY hard to read, decompose and understand. As such, I like to use my blog to make things more clear.

EQ is not a wine term. It stands for “equilibrio”, which means “balance” in Spanish. This is meant to be a nod to the finesse of the wines bottled under this label and the potential of the terroir that Matetic Vineyards owns.

Where does this wine come from?

Broadly speaking, this wine comes from the Casablanca Valley in Chile, located about 100 kms north-west of the capital city of Santiago and about 15 kms from the Pacific Ocean. This valley is in fact sandwiched between coastal mountains and the ocean. Given its location, this valley is considerably cooler than other parts of the country and is well known for producing crisp white wines, high quality, expressive Pinot Noirs and delicious sparkling wines.

More specifically, Matetic Vineyards is actually located in a small pocket between Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley, called Rosario Valley. It is important to note that this is not an officially recognized appellation as of right now, hence the producer labels their wines as originating from Casablanca Valley.

Even more specifically, the fruit for this wine is sourced from a specific vineyard that is located only 10 kms from the ocean.

Why is this wine unique?

While some may not consider this wine to be particularly unique, I would have to disagree. I think it is still relatively unusual to see Pinot Noir from Chile in many parts of the world. Furthermore, this is a single vineyard wine at a very fair price point. Lastly, the wine is certified organic.

Who makes this wine?

This wine is made by Matetic Vineyards, a magnificent estate that is self-described as a boutique organic and biodynamic producer and is owned by a family that is of Croatian ancestry but has lived in Chile since the late 1800s.

With a state of the art onsite winery, cellar and boutique hotel, and a sharp eye on respect for terroir and the importance of innovation, this producer is doing a lot of things right. I’ve personally had the opportunity to visit Matetic Vineyards and I was nothing less than incredibly impressed.

TIP - If you are visiting Chile, consider staying here! It’s a very memorable experience!

Click here to learn more about Matetic Vineyards.

A few Wine Geek “essential facts” about the wine (feel free to skip this if you don’t care about detailed wine-making information!):

Variety - 100% Pinot Noir

Soil types - granite and mica

Vinification - fermented in stainless steel, racked in french oak barrels and then aged for 12 months in french oak barrels.

ABV - 14%

Residual Sugar - 2 g/L

My tasting notes:

A shiny light ruby red in the glass, this wine meets the nose with dark spice, earthy forest floor and mushroom notes, with a backbone of ripe red fruit. On the palate, the wine expresses strawberry, pomegranate, cherry, cranberry and red floral notes, with an undercurrent of wet leaves and dark earth. Of particular note is the minerality and acidity in this wine, which is a clear result of the terroir of the vineyard (see above). Overall, is well balanced, tart and vibrant, and finishes with dusty tannins and a long zesty finish.

This is a Pinot Noir that will make you sit up and take notice for sure….in a good way. And at a stellar price.

Aging potential:

Drink now.

Recommendations to Wineitupanotch:

Savor this wine on its own! It’s delicious :)…..or pair it with smoked or glazed pork ribs that are sweet and spicy!

Wineitupanotch Wine Score: 90 points

If you’re looking for a nice earthy Pinot Noir that has age on it, this is a winner, especially at this price point. It is complex and rich and very satisfying. I really enjoyed the minerality and acidity that comes through on this wine - though pronounced, it is still elegant.

FINAL VERDICT:

Buy this wine and see what good Pinot Noir from Chile can be like. There are many great examples…..this is certainly a step in the right direction!

If you’ve tried this wine already, or decide to pick it up and try it after reading this post, I’d love to hear from you and hear what you think of it! Please do drop me a line.

Until next time, wishing you love, light and of course - good wine!……

Cheers…..XOXO