González Bastías País en Tinaja DO Secano Interior, Vale del Maule 2022

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Earthy & Spicy
Country of Origin:	Chile
Wine Region:	Southern Regions
Grape Varietal:	Tinta del Pais
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	12 bottles
$477.00 Per Case ($39.75/btl) Add to Cart

Tasting Notes

Located four hours south of Santiago, Gonzáles Bastías is a village and a still operating train station of the last “Ramal” train of South America. It is also the name of this ancient vineyard, located in the coastal dry lands of Maule in central Chile, about 40km from the Pacific Ocean.

The name of the town was changed from Infiernillo in 1955 in honour of the great local poet and uncle of José LuisGómez Bastías, fifth generation of vintners, who, from a very young age began working on these same lands. Today, together with his wife, Enologist Daniela Lorenzo, whose ancestors also come from a few stations down river, the dedication to putting value to the ancient traditions of their ancestors continues.

Currently about 30,000 bottles are produced annually; production that comes mostly from four hectares of almost two hundred year old vineyards of País and other Creole strains. These ancestral vines are “piefranco” meaning no rootstock (ie grown on original rootstock). The vines are cultivated in head trellis, without irrigation and in soils of granite origin; all surrounded by the coastal mountain range and Sclerophyll forests. Animal grazing helps control pastures and also acts as a fertilization method. The plowing is done with horses and pruning is done by hand to maintain the longevity of the old vines.

José Luis and Daniela are strictly dedicated to making "natural" wines, that are free from chemical additions, both in the vineyards and the winery. They work with ancient varieties that were introduced to the area by their ancestors. Their wines are marketed among vineyard visitors and friends and in exclusive restaurants and wine stores in Chile. They export to 8 countries in 4 continents - to people who share their passion for natural/artisanal wines.

This wine is made from 100% País grapes (also known as the Mission grape), handpicked from ancient vines grown in granitic soils on the banks of the Maule River. The vines are on original rootstock, head/goblet trained, and receive no irrigation. The vineyards are organic and free from all pesticides and herbicides.

Crushing/de-stemming is by hand using a "Zarada de Coligùe" (horizontal bamboo sticks), and fermentation is in open fermenters using native yeasts. Manual punch downs - 5-7 times per day - and no pressing after the fermentation is complete (only free-run juice).

The finished wine is aged for 12 months in an ancient - over 300 years old - clay amphora (Tinaja). The wine is bottled by hand, with no filtration. Approximately 6,600 bottles produced. 12.6% alc./vol; .06 gr/L total SO4; <1.0 gr/L RS.

Our tasting note: Bright, medium deep ruby colour. Complex aromas and flavours of plums, wild raspberry, and blueberry with slight floral notes. Balanced acidity, medium-bodied, and a long complex finish.

Menu matches: Versatile, pairs with many different types of sauces - spicy, sweet, sour etc. - on meats, earthier vegetables, and poultry.

Critical Praise