This is a new wine to me. I am usually quite familiar with the wines of Chile. Cigar Box Pinot Noir comes from the cooler Casablanca Valley, made by the Sur Andino winery. The Casablanca Valley is located 75 km northwest of Santiago, Chile and is approximately at 33 degrees south latitude, which if it was in the northern hemisphere would be located around the Temecula Valley near San Diego. At these latitudes, the sun would be high in the sky and provide lots of heat for grapes to grow ripe. In comparison, BC’s south Okanagan Valley, our hottest grape-growing region, is 49 degrees north latitude. The Casablanca Valley does benefit from the cooling effects of the cool Pacific Ocean as the Valley gets morning fog, similar to Sonoma Valley in California. The further inland and higher in elevation, the less the effect of the Pacific Ocean in the Casablanca Valley. From my research, Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red grape in this valley. As I taste this wine, I can still feel the effects of the warmer climate compared to cooler Pinot Noir wine growing regions, giving you a fuller-bodied, more dark-fruited wine. Let me tell you about it.
My Wine Tasting Notes Cigar Box Old Vine Pinot Noir 2022 (BC $16.99 BC Select) Cigar Box Old Vine Pinot Noir 2022 with wine in glass
Appearance: A deep, clear garnet colour; about 85% opaque.
Nose: Medium-intensity aromas. It is quite smoky (thus the name of the wine), along
This Article was originally published on My Wine Pal
