Viñedos de Alcohuaz, RHU 2018

Viñedos de Alcohuaz are located in the Valle de Elqui deep within Chile's Andes Mountains. With their vineyards at altitudes ranging between 1,650m and 2,206m, they are a high altitude winery in every sense of the word. Their wines are absolutely amazing because of their ability to harness their terroir through the triangulation of three fundamental factors: the sun, the granite soils and the altitude. RHU 2018 is a super expressive red blend composed of 80% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, and 8% Garnacha; fermented and aged for 32 months in oak foudre. The aromatics are deep and brooding yet lifted by floral and herbal notes. Expect violet, lavender, wild thyme, and cracked black pepper, with a savoury core of smoked meat, black olives, and charred earth. On the palate, RHU 2018 is concentrated yet poised. The fruit is dark and ripe — think blackcurrant, damson, and mulberry — but not jammy, thanks to a backbone of fresh acidity and stony minerality from the granite soils of the Elqui Valley. A knockout with grilled foods.