Pipeno, 'Aupa'

Score

92+

"I tasted a bottle of the 2022 Aupa Pipe¤o that had been in bottle for only one week. In 2022, David Marcel achieved a little less ripeness and alcohol (again 13%) and achieved a primary wine with very tender aromas with hints of tangerine peel, herbs and a serious mouthfeel with fine-grained tannins. It has 80% Pa¡s and 20% Carignan that is expressive and easy to drink. 2022 was a small crop, but he produced around 70,000 bottles of this wine. Great value."

Score

93

"David Marcel grew up in France's southwest and graduated from Montpelier with an enology degree before heading to Chile some 20 years ago. He launched Viña Maitia in 2013, working with parcels of ancient vines in Maule's Loncomilla; he believes the plantings for this 2022 pipeño date to 1895. While the wine tastes completely Chilean, there's something French in its presentation of youthful berry fruit and tart strawberry length of flavor. A blend of país (80 percent) and cinsault, made in the traditional style of pipeños, without commercial yeasts and aged in cement tanks, this offers pale fruit power without weight. It tastes like raspberries at summer's peak, a rustic, silken, savory, acidic, refreshing red wine."