Vinedo Chadwick Puente Alto 2020

The focus for this iconic 15ha estate is firmly on dark fruits and powerful Cabenet Sauvignon character, with its muscular tannic structure and intense red and black fruits wrapped up in bitter chocolate. Slow-build spices, this shows a different side of Chile, and the heat of the vintage comes through not in flavour – the fruit is fresh and supple – but in power and super-charged concentration. I’m always a big fan of what they achieve here, and winemaker Francisco Baettig has done an excellent job of harnessing the potential of the site and its 30 year old vines. Harvest began March 12 and was finished by the beginning of April, keeping this relatively low alcohol, with winemaking focusing on lower temperatures to moderate the natural power and tannic architecture of the vintage. Clear ageing potential. 25% in large Stockinger oak casks, 75% new oak.