Cono Sur ‘Ocio’ Pinot Noir 2008 – Casablanca Valley, Chile

I was recently very fortunate to be involved with the Five Nations wine Challenge in Sydney. As a result, i got to taste some amazing wines that don’t come into Australia (yet!).As you may know, I’m a big Pinot Noir fan, so any excuse to broaden my tasting horizons is grabbed with both hands.

We traditionally associate Pinot Noir with cooler climate areas close to home – Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Central Otago etc. So, the opportunity to taste an array of Pinot’s from other countries (South Africa, Chile, Argentina) against Australia & New Zealand entries is a challenge i could not resist.

The ‘Ocio’ Pinot Noir has a beautifully perfumed nose, with berries, strawberries and preserved fruits, a touch of spice (maybe white pepper) and some cedar wood elements. The mouthfeel is textural, not over powering, quite complex with some soft tannins and sweet red berry fruits.

Well balanced, good intensity of fruit flavours, great length on the palate after swallowing and quite complex.

Well matched with Duck pancakes and soft cheeses