Laberinto "Cenizas" Mezcla Tinta '21

Rafael Tirado established the Laberinto winery, named for the labyrinth-inspired row plantings of his 23 hectares under vine, in 1993 in the easternmost corner of the Maule Valley, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. He purchased land where he had once spent time as a child, in the remote town of Colbún. Previously, he had served as winemaker for several larger Chilean wineries in the Maipo Valley, and his shift to artisan wine in a time of bulk wine production has led him to become a leading figure of Chilean winemaking. He produced wines only from his estate vineyards, practices organic farming, and begins all his ferments with native yeast. With their balance of acidity and elegance, his wines have become benchmarks of Chilean wine.
 
“Cenizas” is made from hand-harvested fruit, from a single vineyard, and is a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that Rafael planted in 1993. The vineyard is planted in the foothills of the Andes, on the slopes above Lake Colbun, with soils formed from volcanic ash, or ceniza, accumulated over thousands of years. The grapes were fermented with native yeasts, and maceration lasted for about 22 days, with 15% stem inclusion. The wine was aged in used 400-liter French barrels for 14 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
 
The wine is full-bodied, with notes of ripe black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and cassis, and hints of eucalyptus, violets, mocha, and baking spices. Pair it with pastel de choclo, grilled steak, lamb chops, or beef stew.