Escaleras de Empedrado is the first Chilean wine to be grown on terraced slate terrain similar to that which dominates the landscape of Priorat, in Catalonia. When combined with the cool climate of the Empedrado estate, which is due to its location and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, this type of terrain contributes to the marked personality and quality of this wine.
This ambitious project began in 1995 when Miguel A. Torres, the fourth generation and current President of the company, began the search for slate soil terrain in Chile (soil that the Chileans refer to as “piedra laja”, or stone slab) with the idea of producing a top range wine of great personality inspired by the magnificent reds of the Priorat and Douro regions. After several years of searching Torres finally came upon a suitable terrain in the Empedrado valley (within the Maule wine region), near the city of Constitucion, about 400 km south of Santiago de Chile and 26 km from the sea. In 2001, the Torres family acquired 369 hectares, 25 of which were used for planting in terraces at an altitude of 500 metres at the highest point and with an overall height difference of 250 metres.
Empedrado is the first terraced plantation on slate soil to exist in Chile and is protected by the Denomination of Origin of the same name, which was established in 2011 in recognition of the geographical and climactic characteristics of the area as well as the type of soil. This ‘stony land’, as the name refers to, combined with the stepped nature of the terrain, has been the inspiration behind the name given to this exclusive Chilean wine: Escaleras de Empedrado (Stone Staircases). Only 2,400 bottles were produced that year.
Concentrated and elegant flavors of cherry, berry, plum and currant are well-integrated and supported by silky tannins. Rich mineral and underbrush accents linger on the refined finish. It’s clearly recognizable as Pinot Noir, and it has the subtleness, elegance and perfume of the best examples of the grape. There are notes of blood orange skin, exotic spices and a core of crunchy red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with the tannins of the granite yet with a flinty sensation. It’s both elegant and powerful, concentrated but soft.
Tim Atkin: 95Pts; Robert Parker: 93Pts; Wine Spectator: 92Pts; James Suckling: 92Pts
