Haras De Pirque 2016 Albis, Red Blend, Maipo Valley

Haras de Pirque is Marchesi Antinori's estate in Chile. In Pirque, Chile in the foothills of the Andes, 290 acres of vineyards were planted in 1992 farmed organically and since then the winery has turned out fine boutique quality wines named for their famous racehorses. Of course the globe-trotting Antinori family winemaking team led by Renzo Cotarella is in charge.

This wine is their flagship blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. Fermentation and maceration were in French oak vats for a total of 20 days, then the wine was blended and racked again into new French barrels for 18 months in total. Additional bottle age have brought out delightful complexities and softened the texture to a silky smoothness.

Tim Atkin MW scored this 93 points saying "All sourced from Haras de Pirque's picturesque estate in the foothills of the Andes, this is a stylishly judged cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Carmenère that's aged in 50% new wood. Classically Maipo, it has mint and rocket aromas, racy blackcurrant fruit and fine grained tannins. 2021-28"

Wine Spectator scored this 93 points saying "Powerful and pure-tasting, with plush dark plum, cherry tart and dark currant flavors. Refined and minerally on the finish, with dried mint accents and plenty of chocolaty richness. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère."

James Suckling scored this 92 points saying "This has good depth, the tannins and ripe flavors building nicely on the palate with a ton of fresh-blackberry and floral character. Good length for a 2016. A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Carmenere."

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 91 points saying "Tightly focused aromas of berry fruits, leather, wild herbs and oak lead to a full-bodied palate that draws inward. Well-applied toasty oak results in flavors of chocolate, baking spices and black fruits. On the finish, this Cabernet-heavy blend is warming and lightly herbal. Drink through 2023."