Errazuriz Vinedo Chadwick 2021

Viñedo Chadwick is a tribute to Don Alfonso Chadwick that showcases the tradition and expertise of the Chadwick family in producing ne wines. e vineyard, originally his personal polo eld, is considered the cradle of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. Located in Puente Alto D.O. Maipo Valley, Viñedo Chadwick made history at the legendary ‘Berlin Tasting’ in January 2004, in which Viñedo Chadwick 2000 was placed first, above the Super Tuscans from Italy, and the First Growth wines from Bordeaux of that vintage.

An exceptional vintage due to a moderately cool season that translated into a long even ripening that preserved the natural acidity of the grapes, aroma and colour. The result is an elegant wine, fresh and full of tension, with high aromatic complexity, that is complemented by the finesse of the tannins, a key characteristic of Viñedo Chadwick. A wine with a great elegant structure, persistence and tremendous ageing potential. The season got underway with warmer than usual weather, enabling an even fruit set, and returned to moderate temperatures during November and December. The summer was cooler than usual, with the total heat summation being 3% below historical levels. Some late January rain (54mm) helped to replenish our well-drained gravel soils and moderate summer temperatures. The cooler conditions during summer enabled the healthy grapes to ripen gently and smoothly. The maturity of the tannins and sugar accumulation advanced together slowly until picking time. The berries were firm, with excellent colour, ripe tannins and a fresh acidity balanced by optimal sugar levels. After this gentle ripening season, harvesting began in late March, with the majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon picked in early April and the final batches on April 12th. This outstanding vintage displays incredible finesse and complexity, together with an extremely long and elegant mouthfeel, showcasing the generous nature of the exceptional Puente Alto terroir.

What the wine writers say:

The focus, balance and precision of this wine are remarkable, with acidity, brightness and what the French call “tension” at its core. Stylishly wooded in 80% new oak, it combines aromas of graphite, mocha and bay leaf with a palate of black cherry, cassis, orange zest and cranberry complemented by serious, layered tannins and a lingering, satisfying finish. World class.

100 points: Tim Atkin

The 2021 Viñedo Chadwick fermented in stainless steel and troncoconic concrete vats, spent some 10 months in barrique, and then part of the wine (some 20%) was sent to the Stockinger foudres. The nose is reminiscent of a super elegant and sleek Bordeaux, pure and clean, less balsamic than in previous years and less herbal. It’s perfumed and floral, precise, fresh and elegant, with very fine tannins, and despite the grape, it is more Pomerol than Graves, with 14% alcohol on the label but without any heat at all. It’s velvety and luxurious, juicy and tasty, with fine-grained chalky tannins and the elegant stoniness that the best Maipos are capable of. It has structure and power, like the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. This has to be the finest vintage for Chadwick; the wine made my heart beat faster – it’s a wine of emotion. This is also my first 100-point wine from Chile! The final blend contains around 3% Petit Verdot from vines planted in 2005. There are some 10,000 bottles of this, and it was all bottled all at once on January 31, 2023.

100 points: Luis Gutiérrez