Medium ruby color; cherry, cranberry, raspberry, oak, some herbaceous notes, black pepper, paprika on the nose and palate.
Dry; simple, supple tannins; some acidity. Medium body. Smooth easy drinker with rustic notes. Grapes hand-harvested in March; lay on the skins at low temperature, then fermented for 10 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel. 30% of the wine ages in oak barrels for six-to-eight months, followed by six months in bottle before releasing for sale. Pleasant entry-level pinot noir. Consistent with previous vintage. 13.5% ABV
Grapes come from Apaltagua’s Manatiales estate vineyard in the El Turco sector of the San Antonio Valley of Chile. Medium body. Very serviceable QPR pinot noir. This does not soar to ecstatic heights of complexity and etherial delights—but you have to pay four or five times as much for that.
The Viña Apaltagua story begins in 1995 when successful American businessman Edward Tutunjian vacationed in Chile. Tutunjian fell in love with Chile and Chilean wines and began acquiring vineyards. Eventually, that included estates in Palmilla (Colchagua) and the Manantiales estate that supplies grapes for this wine. Apaltagua now has a presence in all of the five major wine producing valleys in Chile.
Viña Apaltagua Reserva Pinot Noir Estate Grown, San Antonio Valley, Chile 2020 is a very serviceable, fruit-forward everyday sipper. Nothing rapturous, but no off-putting flaws or listlessness. It is a pure pinot noir play, while other pinots at this price point typically have up to 25% non-pinot juice to stretch out production. Pairing—roast chicken or turkey, duck quesadillas, duck breast with cherry reduction. Quail, Cornish game hens. Oven-baked pork chops with rosemary, pork tenderloin with mushrooms. Rack of lamb with rosemary and thyme. Grilled or smoked salmon; scallops, shrimp, prawns, lobster. Pasta, pizza, meatloaf, spaghetti and meat balls, burgers, and other meaty comfort food. Cheese—aged brie, camembert; taleggio, morbier; gruyère, moderately aged cheddar. $14