It’s been almost eight years since I visited Elqui, and the bright light and primeval, stunning scenery is still with me today. It’s the perfect place for star gazing because…
Caballo Loco No 1 – a piece of modern Chilean history
If you buy lots of wine, then it’s common to overlook bottles, only to encounter them in some nook or cranny of the cellar and think, ‘I should have drunk…
Four affordable, lighter reds for summer smashing
Back to the UK and I’m working through some samples on a balmy summer evening. I’m really into lighter red wines at the moment and these four fit the bill…
Beso Negro el Decadente: a serious red blend from Chile
This wine is the result of a collaboration between winemaker Grant Phelps, and husband and wife team Tunku Soraya Dakhlah and Sharif Majid, who farm the vines and also get…
J Bouchon Granito Semillon 2016 Maule, Chile
This is a remarkable wine. I tasted it when Tim Atkin brought it along to the International Wine Challenge one morning: he’d opened it the previous evening, and as it…
Eduardo Chadwick, Decanter Man of the Year 2018
It was a pleasure to head to the Lanesborough last night for a dinner in honour of Eduardo Chadwick, Decanter Man of the Year 2018. The Decanter Man/Woman of the…
Tasting the icons and Pizarras wines from Errazuriz with Francisco Baettig
Yesterday I met with Errazuriz winemaker Francisco Baettig, tasting some new releases. He’s the man behind the ‘icon’ wines of Errazuriz owner Eduardo Chadwick, and also the new venture in…
Chile, day 3, Viña Errázuriz’s Panquehue winery with Francisco Baettig
The final visit of the first leg of this trip was at Viña Errázuriz’s home base, the winery in Panquehue, Aconcagua Valley, where their Max I vineyard is located. This…
Chile day 3, Viñedo Chadwick
Viñedo Chadwick is in the Alto Maipo region of Chile, near Santiago. I visited back in 2008, and there’s an extensive report here. It was originally a family home. ‘It…