2022 Haras de Pirque Albaclara Sauvignon Blanc

Haras de Pirque by Antinori: Chilean top wines with Italian charm. Haras de Pirque is owned by the renowned Italian wine family Antinori and is located 30 km south of Santiago in one of the most prestigious areas of the Maipo Valley. It is located at the foot of the Cordillera de Los Andes, known for its unique geographical and climatic conditions. Haras de Pirque represents the blend of the New and Old wine world; a blend between Chile and Italy, a blend of different families with one shared passion: producing fantastic wines.

The wine cellar of Haras de Pirque, which is shaped like a horseshoe, is truly spectacular. A tribute to the oldest thoroughbred horse breeding farm in the country, founded in 1892 just a stone's throw from the winery. The best racehorses from Chile came from here. The cellar, located on the hillside, is designed to integrate the element of gravity into all phases of wine production. This limits the use of equipment and guarantees a higher degree of energy savings and quality. Sustainability is very important to Haras de Pirque and guides its entire business operations, from water management to 'people management'. Of course, this also includes organic farming. Since 2006, the focus has been on making organic wine. In 2016, the transition to organic viticulture was completed and all red wines are now certified organic.

The Haras de Pirque Albaclara Sauvignon Blanc comes from vineyards located in the Leyda Valley, in particular at Las Brisas de Santo Domingo where the Sauvignon Blanc vineyards of Albaclara are located. This area is characterized by temperatures that are generally cool in nature with seriously large differences between day and night temperatures. Sauvignon Blanc, a grape variety with an important personality, is fully expressed in the world's selected areas for this grape, which traditionally include the Loire Valley, New Zealand and Friuli and, in more recent times, in Chile and especially the coastal areas such as Leyda. The name is inspired by the beautiful dawn that rises over the vineyards.

After the grapes have been picked by hand, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 12-15 days. The wine is aged sur lie and gently stirred every two weeks to give the wine more body and to ensure that the wine comes into full contact with its lees.

Albaclara is a pure Sauvignon Blanc, the grapes of which are hand-picked in the vineyards of Leyda. In the glass the wine has a bright light yellow color with a green tint. Fresh and delicate aromas of grapefruit, mandarin and green herbs on the nose. A fruity and fresh taste and a fine acidity. Delicious with grilled white fish, oysters, salads, various vegetables and fresh cheeses. A beautiful glass of Chilean wine with Italian charm, but after all, this is from the famous Antinori family.

Awards:
James Suckling – 90 points
Tim Atkin Master of Wine – 90 points
Descorchados – 93 points

“They prove that the grass is not always greener on the other side with this sauvignon blanc. Greener than the freshly mowed lawn. Greener than the greenest granny smith. Greener than a green pepper on a bed of just-cut green herbs .” – Harold Hamersma, rated 8.5