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The wines of Miguel Torres, Curicó, Chile  

Soc Vinicola Miguel Torres SA, Panamaericana Sur Km 195, Curico, Chile
Tel: 56 75 564 100 Fax: 56 75 564 115
E-mail: mailadmin@migueltorres.cl Website: www.torreswines.com 
UK agent: John E Fells (lhg@fells.co.uk)

Spanish producer Miguel Torres bought a 90 ha vineyard, Fundo Maquehua, in Curicó back in 1979. They then purchased the 55 ha Fundo San Francisco Norte vineyard in Lontue in 1984. Further acquisitions included Manso de Velasco, Fundo Cordillera (110 ha), Fundo San Luis de Alico (45 ha) and Fundo San Luis de Alico (45 ha). Another two vineyards are under long-term lease, and altogether holdings total a substantial 400 ha. As with many Chilean producers, the wines are commercially sound – even quite tasty – without ever threatening to be exciting. Approximate UK retail prices are given in brackets after each note.

Brut Nature NV
75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir in this Champagne-method fizz. Crisp, high acid style with simple fruitiness. Correct but a bit neutral. Good/very good (£10+)

Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc 2002, Curicó
Youthful and still a bit tanky. Modern, fresh, spicy-edged nose with crisp grassy fruit on the palate. Quite a rich style. Very good (£5.99)

Copihue Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2001 Curicó
From the Cordillera estate (Rio Claro Valley), partially barrel fermented and aged in new oak. Grassy herby nose with a touch of nutty richness. Unusual herbal palate with high acidity. Odd. Good/very good (£6.99-£7.99)

Maquehua Chardonnay 2001, Curicó
Fermented and matured in new French oak barrels. Nicely balanced with bright fruit and well integrated nutty oak. Not at all fate or overblown. Very good (£6.99-£7.99)

Santa Digna Merlot 2001, Curicó
Clean juicy berry fruit. Quite primary and simple, but attractive. Good/very good (£5.99)

Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Curicó
Juicy, bright blackcurrant fruit on the nose. The palate is dominated by pure juicy fruit, with good balance. Nice. Very good (£5.99)

Manso de Velasco Cabernet Sauvignon 1999, Curicó
Made from a single vineyard, Manso de Velasco, and aged in French oak barrels. Juicy, rich, lush blackcurrant fruit on the nose. Great concentration of pure fruit on the palate with some tannic structure. Very rich and modern. Very good+ (£10+)

Late Harvest Riesling 2000 Curicó
Sweet, limey intense nose with lovely acid lift. Thick, viscous texture on the palate: extremely sweet but good balancing acidity. Very good+ (£8-9)

Wines tasted September 2002

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