We are pleased to communicate that our acclaimed Golden Harvest, Edición Limitada 2013 from the Casablanca Valley, was acknowledged as Sweet Wine of the Year by Tim Atkin, the renowned British wine critic. Golden Harvest is a unique late harvest wine, which Atkin awarded 96 points, produced in limited amounts and only under very special climatic conditions that allow its Sauvignon Blanc grapes to be 100% affected by botrytis cinerea or noble rot. 2013 was additionally a special vintage since it was the first time that our winemaker Ricardo Baettig and his team, managed to imprint the particular seal passed on to them by Pablo Morandé.

Tim Atkin, the prestigious British Master of Wine and a major referent for thousands of consumers who follow his authoritative voice when it comes to finding out about, and choosing a wine, recently presented his Chile 2021 Special Report online. During his presentation, Atkin made a very special mention of Pablo Morandé as one of the members of his “Hall of Fame” and whom he appointed as “Winemaking Legend” in 2017.

Regarding the wines, the critic highlighted Cinsault as a valuable variety and indicated that, especially when Cinsault is sourced from old vines, where it shows a perfect balance. Viña Morandé and other wineries were specially mentioned by Atkin as a great example of the results achieved with this grape, thanks to the work done with the producers who still maintain and cultivate it in the Secano (rain-fed) areas of Maule and Itata.

Atkin also highlighted two other wines by Viña Morandé: Créole 2020 and Bestiario 2019, both with 92 points. Créole (cinsault) is a red wine from the Itata Valley. It blends Cinsault with 15% País, all fermented with whole clusters. Its bottles have a pretty label that tells the happy ending of a story that brings together past and present in a sincere handshake. It is a wine that stands out for “its fruitiness of black cherries and raspberries, with a stony grip, refreshing acidity and a very slight hint of oak. Intense, perfumed, vivid and vibrant”.

Bestiario, on the other hand, is a white blend from the Maule Valley. It shows an exuberant edge, characteristic of the Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier grape varieties. It was aged unoaked, but with its skins, for six months. According to Atkin, the wine is “somewhat sweet, lively and herbaceous, with a hint of peach and a dry, refreshing finish. Partial contact with the skins adds another level of complexity to this frustrated orange wine.”