January 2012-

In the ninth edition of the competition, the jury was made up of experts from different countries; Peter Richards, Master of Wine from the United Kingdom; Lisa Perrott—Brown, Master of Wine from Singapore; Mai Tjemsland, Master of Wine from Norway; Debra Meiburg, Master of Wine from Hong Kong; Marcelo Copello from Brazil; Bill St. John from the United States; Bengt-Göran Kronstam from Sweden; Patricio Tapia from Chile and Anthony Gismondi from Canada.

Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the best vineyards Viña San Pedro currently owns in Elqui Valley, which present sandy silt loam soils with the presence of angular stones in all of their profile. The vineyard receives a strong marine influence, since it is located approximately 20 kilometers from the ocean in a straight line.

August, 2011.-

The British magazine published on its August edition a special feature about Chile and Argentina, entitled “Finding El Dorado”, on which Richards qualified our country as “a viticultural paradise”, for the diversity in vines and origins it offers, and chose the Top 15 best wineries, out from the over 200 existing in the country.

Regarding San Pedro, the English expert highlighted the vast improvement of quality undertaken along the last decade, in all of this winery’s lines of wines, varieties and vineyards, as well as the incorporation of new origins for its fruit, which in his view has had “dramatic effect”… In the best sense of the word.

“The most notable is Elqui, where San Pedro now makes outstanding Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc”, stresses Richards, precisely granting 4 stars, this is, a highly recommendable qualification, to the wine Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc from Elqui Valley, vintage 2010, saying:

“Consistently one of Chile’s best-value Sauvignon Blancs, this comes bursting with tangy flavours of gooseberries, tomato leaf and ripe citrus fruit. A fantastic wine for its price”.

Undoubtedly, a great example of the “unbounded creativity” highlighted by Richards on his article.

September 2010.-

Highlighting with renewed strength San Pedro’s name in the exclusive Elqui Valley, this wine – baptized in honor to the Kankana Mountain, protagonist of the magnetic phenomenon in this valley-, is the result of four years of work of this winery and its Winemaker of Premium and Reserve wines, Marco Puyo, within “Proyecto Origen”, initiative which goal is to constantly look for new and better origins in order to create high quality wines.

Elaborated with the finest Syrah grapes which mature exposed to the bright mineral glow of the Kankana Mountain, the cool ocean breezes and this valley’s magical sunsets, Kankana del Elqui is a pioneering wine, which features are getting excellent comments from experts already.

July, 2010.-

This wine is the result after four years of hard work done by San Pedro’s Chief Winemaker of Reserve and Premium Wines, Marco Puyo, who has dedicated lots of time and study to this winery’s vineyards at the Elqui.

Thanks to San Pedro’s pioneering Origin Project, that leads it to create quality wines stemming from unexplored lands and exclusive appellations, this winery discovered the lot number 10 within the Elqui Valley, a place where Syrah grapes mature exposed to the bright mineral glow of the Kankana Mountain, the cleanest skies in the planet and infinite stars, the cool ocean breezes and magical sunsets.

The protagonist of the magnetic phenomenon in this valley is the Kankana Mountain, which, in the Diaguitas language means “camp or cooking fire”, due to the burnt red color its peak acquires during the last light of every sunset. According to local inhabitants, the Kankana is like a great antenna, more than 4,000 meters high, that synchronizes the valley to the purest skies in the world and which thanks to its main component: iron oxide or magnetite, has become the Mystical Alter of the Elqui Valley.

Kankana del Elqui, Solar 10, San Pedro’s Ultra Premium born from the Elqui’s discovery and learning process. A sacred alter for Syrah.

May 17^th of 2010.-

Adding recognition to the 90 points and excellent reviews awarded by both most relevant wine-writers from American magazines, WineEnthusiast and Wine Spectator, now, the English Decanter magazine published on its June issue the article entitled “From Zero to Hero” written by renowned wine broadcaster, writer and director of the Winchester Wine School, Peter Richards, who highlighted 1865 Limited Edition Syrah within his list of the best Chilean Syrahs with a maximum score of five Stars.

On his three-page article, Richards tells the story of the first steps, the evolution and exciting present the Syrah is experimenting in Chile, specially focusing on the amazing regional diversity this country is able to deliver, mentioning Colchagua, Leyda, Elqui and other valleys and sub-valleys. In this context, he says “this debut Elqui Syrah from San Pedro is captivating. As with other styles from this region, the emphasis is on a northern Rhone style, especially in the aromatics, with black pepper and charred fruit notes. The palate is oaky in its youth and seriously impressive: savoury, deep, not all that obvious.”

Richards ends his note alluding to another San Pedro’s Syrah which sounded loud at the beginning of this year. “The reality of Syrah in Chile is a fast-evolving one. At the latest Wines of Chile Awards in January, San Pedro won Wine of the Show for its 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah from Cachapoal. It was a reminder, (….) that Syrah and Chile have a long way yet to go together.”

And of course, San Pedro projects to leave several marks more on that road!

April of 2010.-

The American magazine published a special about Chile, which prestigious wine writer, James Molesworth, entitled “Chile cools off” and where he relates the positive turn of this country towards discovering the cool valleys and their magnificent results with fine wines. Once again, on this review, the Elqui Valley is the star and within this context,   San Pedro is one of the wineries that caught his attention greatly.

Molesworth highlighted our wine 1865 Limited Edition Syrah Elqui Valley 2007, awarding it 90 points, and qualifying it as an outstanding Syrah, crafted from the winery’s cool-climate Elqui vineyards. “…the debut release for one of the new projects under Marco Puyo’s guidance, offers the grape’s typical roasted plum and blackberry fruit, spiked with white pepper and violet hints and a long, rangy finish”, states the expert.

A new recognition from a world-famous critic to our projects at the Elqui Valley, an origin which –be aware!– will very soon come up again with other striking news.

April 2010.-

This video is part of an educational section within this magazine’s website and will be online 3 months.

We hope you enjoy it and share it with your friends and contacts!

Watch the video at: www.winespectator.com/video

On the Buying Guide of its May issue, the publication chose to highlight only five Chilean Syrah and Michael Schachner, contributing editor responsible for tasting the Chilean wines, scored it with 90 points what is equivalent to qualify it as an excellent and highly recommendable wine.

Schachner highlighted its origin at the Elqui Valley, adding “we like its leathery, complex and smoky nose that foretells layered blackberry, chocolate and spice flavors. Fairly thick and modern, but balanced, with a long, lightly minty finish. Interesting and well seasoned with oak.”

This wine is the second one launched within the Limited Edition line of our brand 1865, which aims at giving an even higher relevance to the origin. It is elaborated from a selection of Syrah grapes, planted twelve years ago at the Elqui Valley’s coastal zone, on alluvial soils, near the Elqui River and at 100 meters above the sea level. This area’s lower temperatures than other more traditional Chilean wine-growing regions for this variety, allow obtaining wines with greater fruit expression and softer tannins. This wine is vinified in 15,000 liters vats, specially designed for it and wears its creator’s signature, winemaker Marco Puyo, on its label.

Just as Mr. Schachner said, highly recommendable!

Two of our wines attained excellent scores in this publication. 

 On one hand, 1865 Single Vineyard 2009 stemming from the Leyda Valley was qualified with 92 points. This Sauvignon Blanc was described as a wine of intense flavors, maritime as few, with salty and iodized notes, along a stone-like acidity. Recommended to enjoy chilled, along a seabass sashimi.

 Also, our awarded Castillo de Molina Reserva 2009 from the Elqui Valley reached 90 points, being highlighted its green-chili notes, strong acidity, hard body, great volume and freshness. Ideal to pair with a seabass “tiradito” (kind of ceviche without onion).

Two outstanding options for this Easter Week!!