Viviana Morales, the talented winegrower behind Sauzal Winery and its brand Viñedo Los 5, is making impressive strides in Maule, Chile. During a visit to Renán Cancino’s winery, she poured her exceptional wines, showcasing her unique approach to winemaking.
Morales cultivates small plots of old, dry-grown vines in granitic soils. Her vineyards employ organic practices, allowing the terroir to shine through in her wines. Notably, her winemaking process is remarkably natural, with only a minimal addition of sulfites (10 ppm) before bottling.
Among the wines sampled, the País varietals stood out for their elegance and expression of place. Each single-plot wine offers diverse characteristics, even within the same grape variety:
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La Orilla País Viticultor José Ramón Luna 2022: This wine features high-altitude granite and gneiss soils. Hand destemmed and fermented with wild yeast, it has a delicate profile with fine red cherry and redcurrant fruit, showcasing purity and finesse. Rating: 95/100.
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La Quebrada País Viticultor Nivaldo Mesa 2021: An intriguing density with herbal notes and a hint of spice, this wine presents lovely red cherries and cranberries, floral undertones, and a nice tannic structure. Rating: 94/100.
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Viñedo Los 5 Viticultor Mario Pereira 2021: Grainy and structured, this wine offers tannins and spice with floral and sweet cherry notes, finishing fresh with excellent detail. Rating: 95/100.
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Viñedo Los 5 Garnacha Viticultor Niraldo Morales 2021: Direct and bold, it boasts high acidity, grippy tannins, and raspberry flavors, ending with a firm but promising finish. Rating: 92/100.
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Viñedo Los 5 Cariñena Viticultor Jaqueline Garrido 2021: This vivid wine presents tart raspberry fruit and bright acidity, offering excellent intensity and focus. Rating: 93/100.
Viviana Morales’ commitment to her craft is evident, as is her ability to produce standout wines that capture the essence of their region.
For more information, check out the details on Sauzal Winery.