20%+ Discounts on Errázuriz Ending Soon

 I was slightly surprised to see a significant promotion from the major Chilean producer Viña Errázuriz.

Who knows the reason — clearing space for new arrivals, part of a focus on the premiumisation president Eduardo Chadwick has often discussed, or something else.

Better, then, to focus on what it brings to us rather than why — and there are plenty of positives there.

This, after all, is a major producer with a 150 year history through five generations of family ownership.

Don’t forget that Viña Errázuriz was also the prime mover of the famous 2004 Berlin Blind Tasting.

There, top Chilean reds outperformed First Growth Clarets with Chadwick wines taking first and second place.

So, it is with optimism that we begin a detailed look at this promotion.

As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.

First the location

All the wines are from Viña Errázuriz’s home region – Aconcagua – which is named after the lofty Mount Aconcagua that rises to almost 7000 metres.

But let’s look at the region in more detail.

It is north of Santiago and extends – in a narrow band – from the Andes right down to the ocean.

Unsurprisingly, then, the varying altitudes create a number of micro-climates while its soil types are equally diverse.

This all provides scope for a variety of grapes to prosper there.

For example, merlot does well in its warmer inland sites while cooler coastal areas suit both pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. 

On to the wines with current discounts

2024 Errazuriz Estate Reserva Merlot: (£7.50 – down £2 until 8 September – with a Tesco Clubcard and 13% abv):

Perhaps because the Aconcagua Valley is prime cabernet sauvignon country, there is Bordeaux feel to this merlot.

It is much denser – and with a deeper and more varied flavour range – than many of the lighter merlots in today’s market place. 

Dark and aromatic, it has soft cherry and damson flavours with good acidity and just the right level of tannin.

Supporting components include a long finish and suggestions of mocha, cinnamon and cedar.

And here is another red.

2024 Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir: (£7.50 – down £2 until 8 September – with a Tesco Clubcard and 13%):

This is my pick of the promotion with some classic pinot touches that make this exceptional value at less than £8.

For instance, it has an earthy savouriness but never lets that overshadow the wine’s clean, well defined fruit elements.

Equally, there is an overall lightness but that does not compromise the depth of the flavours on display

Opening with attractive fruit fragrances, the wine delivers rounded but medium bodied plum, raspberry and cherry flavours.

In addition, there is firm orange tinged acidity (but limited tannin) and hints of cola, allspice and violet based floral traces.

Moving to a White.

2024 Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Grigio: (£7.50 – down £2 until 8 September – with a Tesco Clubcard and 12%):  

Anyone convinced that inexpensive pinot grigio is all about aromatics and minimal acidity would see very much the reverse here.

There are limited aromas and the texture is also on the less weighty side compared, for example, to a typical version of the grape’s alter ego – pinot gris.

However, and as I suggested, sharp and lingering acidity runs right through this wine lifting and invigorating its light bodied apple, white peach and conference pear flavours.

Lemon and lime zestiness together with a long, savoury influenced and pithy finish complete the picture.

In Conclusion

All in all, then, a trio well worth checking out while the promotion is alive.

These are wines clearly produced by winemakers who know exactly what they are doing and executing that strategy with competence and confidence.

All offer sound, reliable representations of both the variety and location involved – with the pinot noir especially noteworthy.

Discount apart, spectacular they are not but they comfortably fit the place in the wine hierarchy their price tags position them – and do so with a good deal to spare.

I understand that there is also an even deeper price cut in the Errazuriz sauvignon in Morrisons but it is only in a handful of their stores, so check out whether yours is one of them.

Call in again on Monday when the spotlight falls on other Top Tips that offer especially good value at a store near you.