Antiyal

This week’s WOW
2003 Kuyen, Alvaro Espinoza, Maipo, Chile (£8.99)
You may have heard of Antiyal (£19.99, Adnams). it is my favourite Chilean red and it is certainly one of the most serious reds in the world. The 2003 is due here very soon, so form an orderly queue, but in the meantime – and for less than half the price – you can snap up the ‘second’ wine from the Kuyen estate. My wine of the week is a wondrous creation, which needs to be decanted and left for half-an-hour before you attack. When you do, you will find yourself in a whirlwind of red and blackberry fruit, with oak, leather and spice also in the vortex. This is the definitive autumn wine, so get in quick.

The Mail, September 2006
Matthew Jukes

Winery: Antiyal Score: 90
Wine: Maipo Valley 2003
Price: $50
Country: Chile Region: Maipo
Issue: Dec 15, 2005

Structured, with a mix of loam, black cherry, plum, briar, grilled beef and tobacco flavors. Gutsy finish shows a nice second wave of dark fruit. Could use a little time in the cellar. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Best from 2006 through 2009. 525 cases made. (JM)

Winery: Antiyal Score: 91
Wine: Maipo Valley 2002
Price: $50
Country: Chile Region: Maipo
Issue: Dec 15, 2004

Lovely aromas of crushed berry fruit, violets and spice, with supple layers of fruit, minerals, loam and tar running through the lengthy finish. The fruit darkens up nicely on the finish too, so this may well put on weight in the cellar. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2007. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 400 cases made. (JM)
Winery: Antiyal Score: 92
Wine: Maipo Valley 2001
Highly Recommended
Price: $40
Country: Chile Region: Maipo
Issue: Nov 30, 2003

Dreamy nose of cassis bush, dark currant, lilac, tar and hot stone, with a plush, full-bodied palate dripping with dark fruit, meat and loam notes. Really suave, picking up grip and muscle on the finish, where the fruit powers through. A distinct combination of varietal character and Chilean terroir. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2007. 480 cases made. (JM)

Winery: Antiyal Score: 91
Wine: Maipo Valley 2000
Price: $35
Country: Chile Region: Maipo
Issue: Dec 15, 2002

Lovely grace here, with stunning aromas and flavors of cedar, mineral, violets, currant and raspberry with similar flavors that build in intensity through the plush, succulent finish, where the fruit echoes. Great balance and purity. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2005. 360 cases made. (JM)

Winery: Antiyal Score: 89
Wine: Maipo Valley 1999
Price: $20
Country: Chile Region: Maipo
Issue: Oct 15, 2001

Supple, with a refined sense to the rich currant, black cherry, vanilla, clay and mineral flavors, which hang in nicely on the finish. Has real character. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2003. 348 cases made. (JM)

2007: Planet Earth Awards
For the first time in its 24-year-old history, The International Wine Challenge presented trophies for responsible winemaking.

These were presented at an awards dinner in London on September 12. The Champion Sustainable Trophy 2007 was awarded to Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2005, Bald Hills Vineyard, New Zealand; the Champion Organic Trophy 2007 was awarded to the Hans TschidaSamling Trockenbeerenauslese 2005 from Austria; and the Champion Biodynamic Trophy 2007 was won by Champagne FleuryMille?sime 1996. Jean-Marie Chadronnier, CEO of Bordeaux negociant CVBG-Dourthe-Kressmann (Dourthe), was given a Lifetime Achievement award and Alvaro Espinoza, the biodynamic Chilean winemaker, was named Personality of the Year. Espinoza owns, with his wife Marina, a biodynamic estate in Chile and is principal organic and biodynamic consultant to Emiliana Organicos, which owns the largest single biodynamic vineyard in the world.

Alastair Maling MW from Villa Maria(New Zealand) won the White Winemaker of the Year award and Samantha Connew from Wirra Wirra Vineyards (McLaren Vale, South Australia) won the Red Winemaker of the Year award.