The Errazuriz winemaking name was originally founded back in 1870 by Chilean politician Maximiano Errazuriz Valdivieso. The winery has gone from strength to strength since then and whilst retaining their traditional values, their modern and forward approach to winemaking is the driving force behind the Las Pizarras wines.

Head winemaker Francesco Baettig has said that; “This is the most exciting thing I think I’ve ever worked on” – among the most striking places on the planet, the Aconcagua Valley is proving itself as an exceptionally dynamic terroir in the heart of the Andes, 90 kilometres north of Santiago. Errazuriz has managed to produce intense wines with laser-like focus and clarity from these slate-dominated, desert-like soils which represent a compelling New World alternative to Grand Cru Burgundy, yet at a fraction of the price.

Errazuriz source entirely from their Aconcagua Costa Estate from specific plots that have a significant component of metamorphic rock, including a majority of slate (pizarras, in Spanish). Given the extremes of this cool climate site, as well as the uniqueness of its soils and elevations, each small block ripens at its own pace. Its proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean and its well-drained soils, with a high level of slate and metamorphic rock, allow the estate to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of exceptional complexity, depth, minerality, and natural acidity which are significantly more finessed than typical Chilean wines. The aim is to produce Grand Cru level wines from low-yielding vines using traditional techniques.
 
Already widely regarded as Chile's best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - James Suckling has said they are "Clearly the best in Chile", whilst Luis Gutierrez of The Wine Advocate, who is yet to write up the 2021s, said of the 2020 Chardonnay "i couldnt help but think of the wines of Jean-Marc Roulot when tasting" and he said the wine "gives leading Burgundy a run for its money: much more money." Hard to argue with that, given the sky-high prices asked these days for even lowly Villages Burgundy. He also called the Pinot Noir "a benchmark for the variety in Chile."

The latest releases have received huge praise, with James Suckling awarding the 2021 Chardonnay 98 points, calling it "an extremely gastronomic and mouthwatering chardonnay." Awarding 96 points to the 2021 Pinot Noir, he noted the "Exotic flowers, lavender and spices jump out from the glass." Luis Gutierrez is yet to taste, but given the quality of these new releases, i am expecting big scores.