Laberinto 2022 'Cenizas' Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Colbun

Laberinto 2022 'Cenizas' Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Colbun

Item Number: 18930

UPC: 7-804632830065

Country: Chile
Region: Central Valley
Sub Region: Maule
Appellation/AVA: Colbun
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vineyard Designation: Cenizas
Vintage: 2022
Type: Wine - White
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Residual Sugar(g/L): 1.0
Total Acidity: 8.77
pH: 3.04
Viticulture: Practicing Organic
Soil Type: Volcanic
Elevation: 1,880 feet

Vineyard Notes: This manually harvested, single vineyard, 100% estate Sauvignon Blanc is from vines that Rafael Tirado planted himself in 1993. The vineyard is planted to volcanic soils in the foothills of the Andes, on the slopes above Lake Colbun. These Andean soils were formed from volcanic ash ('ceniza') accumulated over thousands of years. Laberinto practices both regenerative and organic viticulture, and this is apparent in the incredibly biodiverse ecosystems in their vineyards. Rafael also plays with different exposures in his vineyards, in a desire to achieve a complexity in the wines, coming from grapes that have experienced a range exposures to sun, wind, temperature, and shade.

Vintage Notes: The 2022 season was marked by a very rainy winter and spring compared to previous years. In addition the summer was colder than normal, which caused a slow and delayed ripening process. It was the first variety to be harvested starting at the end of February. Characterized by very high acidity and low pH, both favored by the perfect condition of good growth in the green stage and calm at the time of fruit ripening. Yields were 1.2 kg per plant.

Winemaking Notes: After a 6-hour maceration, grapes are fermented with selected and native yeasts. The wine ages on the lees for 6 months before being bottled, unfiltered.

Tasting Notes: This Sauvignon Blanc has a bright nose with Guava, passion fruit, and lemon leading to a mineral mid palate and soft undertones of crushed rock. The volcanic ash from the vineyard adds to this minerality and sustained finish.

Reviews

  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 95 (4/6/2023)

    The 2022 Cenizas de Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc is sharp and vibrant, with 12.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.04 and 8.77 grams of acidity. It was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1993 on volcanic ash soils. In 2022, Tirado macerated a bit more, looking for a little more structure. The wine didn't go through malolactic and was bottled after eight months with lees. This is sharp as a knife, with subtle aromas of meat broth and savory rather than floral or exotic, less varietal, complex, austere and mineral, with a rocky sensation. It's textured and tasty, clean, long and nuanced, fresh and balanced, with the cool sensation of the cold nights. He's worked a lot through decantation to be able to bottle the wine unfiltered, and the wine is bright and clean. It's an amazing wine, one of the finest values in Chile.
  • The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 95 (4/6/2023)

    The 2022 Cenizas de Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc is sharp and vibrant, with 12.6% alcohol, a pH of 3.04 and 8.77 grams of acidity. It was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1993 on volcanic ash soils. In 2022, Tirado macerated a bit more, looking for a little more structure. The wine didn't go through malolactic and was bottled after eight months with lees. This is sharp as a knife, with subtle aromas of meat broth and savory rather than floral or exotic, less varietal, complex, austere and mineral, with a rocky sensation. It's textured and tasty, clean, long and nuanced, fresh and balanced, with the cool sensation of the cold nights. He's worked a lot through decantation to be able to bottle the wine unfiltered, and the wine is bright and clean. It's an amazing wine, one of the finest values in Chile. 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. Experience with older vintages tells me this wine is going to develop nicely in bottle.