🍷 Discover the Enchantment of the Heartbreak Grape 🍷
Pinot Noir wine is the most highly prized wine in the world. Called "the noble grape" in France, for good reason as it has been coveted by kings and commoners in large part for its magical abilities with food. If you are ever ordering wine at a restuarant for a large crowd of people, Pinot Noir is a safe bet as it is most likely to compliment most people's meals!
Colloquillay known as the "heartbreak grape", it is a much riskier investment for both growers and winemakers than other wine varietals. The grape clusters are usually small and difficult to ripen evenly, the skins are thin and there is a propensity to suffer a variety of diseases!
That risk is one of the reasons it is highly sought after (and can be expensive). Andre Tchelistcheff, one of America’s most influential winemakers declared that “God made Cabernet Sauvignon whereas the devil made Pinot Noir.”
Having said that, however, we believe this varietal to be quite heavenly!
2020 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Pinot Noir
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby red with violet hues.
Nose
The nose initially reveals aromas of black and red berries, such as murtillas (commonly known as Chilean guava, or strawberry myrtle), cranberries, black plums and raspberries.
Palate
The palate has balanced acidity and flavours of juicy black fruit, along with smooth, well-rounded tannins sustained by the notes of soft French oak.
Vinification
The grapes first underwent a cold pre-fermentative maceration to extract their colour and aromas. They were then fermented in open stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of between 24°C and 26°C. Manual pump-overs were used for 100% of the extraction during fermentation. 100% of the wine was aged in 300lts French oak barrels for a period of 12 months. 15% of them were new, 30% second-use and 55% third-use.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Another Grey Glacier triumph- red and black fruits vye for your attention balanced by a fresh acidity - all framed in soft tannins from some subtle oak ageing. Incredible balance with an extended finish that stops you reaching for your glass - except that it’s so delicious that you want more. This really is an over-delivering range that demands tasting that will never disappoint. Try it once - any varietal - and you’ll be hooked. One of our fuller, richer, riper styles of Pinot noir." Tasted July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Best served at between 14°C and 15°C. This wine pairs well duck, with oily fish, pasta, creamy soups, different lean meats and hard cheese. |
Appellation |
|

2023 Sierra Grande Pinot Noir
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A wine full of finesse with a long and pure finish.
Tasting Notes
A deep and generous Pinot Noir showing ripe fruit flavours of raspberries and wild strawberries, balanced with subtle smoky notes and a deliciously lingering finish.

Producer
Our winemaking team have been building realationships across Chile over the past two decades, sourcing fruit and wine from across the Central Valleys. We work with a number of small family growers who pay particular attention to quality and ensure that our winemaking team has the best possible fruit to work with . Freshness and purity are the preferred hallmarks of Boutinot's Chilean wines.
Each vintage Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang travels the vineyards of our grower partners, blending that year's truest expression's of Chile's unique terroirs.
Production
Our Pinot Noir comes from a small Hacienda in Maule. The 40-60-year-old vines grow in the shadow of the El Dezcabazado volcano on stony, fertile soils. Maule is in the south of the region where glacial streams and pure mountain air keep temperatures low, allowing Pinot Noir to retain the acidity that is so crucial to a balanced wine. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the day to ensure they reach the winery in prime condition. Temperatures are kept low throughout the winemaking process, to allow the grapes to express their natural fruit characters. No oak is used.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Very pleasurable on its own, this would nevertheless be superb with oriental duck salads, or light middle eastern lamb dishes. |
Origin | Chile |
Appellation | Valle Central |
