Bodega Volcanes de Chile is an interesting project using only grapes grown on volcanic soil. Although they source grapes from all over Chile, their wines tend to be fresh because they are at higher altitude and are minerally reflecting the volcanic soil. There are over 2,900 volcanoes in Chile for them to explore. Winemaker Maria del Pilar Diaz works with 3 main vineyards in Cachapoal, Maule and Malleco. This is owned by the same company that owns Undurraga, so you can find their wines at the Undurraga shop in Maipo, and they have the ability to distribute in many Chilean wine shops, the US and the UK. Although it’s listed at around $20 elsewhere, I found it for less than half the price in Chile.
This particular wine is a peculiar blend of Grenache (45%) from Cachapoal, Petite Sirah (40%) from Melipilla, Maipo, and Mourvedre (15%) from Cauquenes, Maule. It’s almost a typical southern Rhone blend except exchanging Petite Sirah for Syrah. The nose is quite modern Rhone like with ripe dark berry fruit, dried herbs, licorice, and something reminding me of Big Red chewing gum. The palate has just enough acidity to go well with food with more of that ripe dark fruit, some minerality, ripe tannins, and no heat despite the 15% alcohol. This could pass for a modern Cotes du Rhone or Montsant from Spain although on the second day it felt a little more Petite Sirah like with plumy milk chocolate notes sticking out more. 90 pts AC.
Interesting wine description. may just try a bottle at double the Chilean price if i even find one here.
Looks like their only exports to the US are to the NY area. There are a few other producers in Chile who focus on making wines from soil types. For example, “A los Vinateros Bravos” produce a “Volcanico” version of Pais and Cinsault and a “Granitico” (Granite) version. Ideally, you could drink them side by side to compare. Here’s a link to find their wines: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/a+los+vinateros+brave+volcanic+pais+itata+valley+chile#t1