Laberinto - Mezcla Tinta Cenizas 2019

As one of ten children, Rafael Tirado has long been prepared to navigate his way through life.  Over the course of his decades long career, he has made wine around the world, managed several mid-sized Chilean wineries, many of which are exported to the USA, and has become one of the most sought after wine consultants in Chile.  Rafa purchased land in the Eastern Maule Valley in the front range of the Chilean Andes and planted his first estate vines in 1993 on volcanic ash over granite.  He currently has six parcels totaling 23ha of vines.  His vineyards are legally recognized to be located within the Colbun D.O. and he is currently one of the only producers in the D.O.  Many of his vines are planted in various orientations, some of which are planted in the shape of a labyrinth.  Rafael built a small gravity fed winery and geothermal barrel and bottle room on the property, and currently produces estate wines under the Cenizas, Arcillas, and Trumao labels.  We believe these wines to be some of the most classic expressions of terroir in all of Chile, and Rafael Tirado to be a beacon of Artisanal Chilean Wine.

Hand-harvested from a single estate vineyard planted by Rafa in 1993, located in Colbún DO. Soil dominated by volcanic ash and granite, 1,800 ft in elevation. 3-day cold maceration before fermentation, with a total maceration of 22 days, and 15% stem inclusion. Aged for 14 months in used French barrels.

“Part of a stunning range of wines from Laberinto, a bodega where site and winemaker are in magical symbiosis, this is a grassy, refined cuvée of Merlot with 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah. Graceful and understated, it has fine, detailed tannins, red plum and raspberry fruit, a hint of oak and a long, herbal, refreshing finish.” - 95 Points, Tim Atkin

“The 2019 Cenizas de Laberinto Mezcla Tinta, cropped from a cold year in the zone, was produced with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, fermented in concrete and matured in 400-liter French oak barrels for 12 months. It has 14% alcohol and retained good freshness and acidity. It's very austere and Bordeaux-like, a cool-climate red, with better integrated oak. Tirado has abandoned 225-liter barrels, and the wines feel younger and livelier.” - 92 Points, Wine Advocate

“The 2019 Mezcla Tinta Cenizas is a blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from Colbún, Maule, and was aged for 12 months in used 400-liter French barrels. Moderate garnet in color. The nose offers black currant and mint, hints of pepper, and a delicate layer of black tea. In the mouth it’s intense with fine-grained, chalky, reactive tannins, while the freshness leavens the palate, stretching out the finish. One to keep for a while.” - 92 Points, Vinous

Producer: Laberinto

Country: Chile

Region: Maule Valley

Varietal: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Maule Valley

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml