This isn’t your everyday crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc. The Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is a truly special sweet wine, crafted with grapes left on the vine longer than usual to achieve an intense concentration of sugars and flavours. This extended hang-time often encourages the development of Botrytis cinerea, or “noble rot,” a beneficial fungus that dehydrates the grapes, further intensifying their essence and adding a layer of complex aromatics.

The Esteemed Producer: Errazuriz is a highly respected Chilean winery, with a heritage dating back to 1870 when it was founded by Don Maximiano Errazuriz. They are celebrated for their commitment to producing top-quality wines across a variety of styles from Chile’s prime wine-growing regions.

Origin and Terroir: The grapes for this particular wine typically hail from Chile’s Casablanca Valley. This region is renowned for its cool climate, significantly influenced by cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean. These conditions are ideal for aromatic white varietals like Sauvignon Blanc, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, which is crucial for preserving their vibrant acidity and intense aromatic character – both vital elements in balancing the sweetness of a late harvest wine. While primarily Sauvignon Blanc, some vintages may also incorporate small percentages of other aromatic grapes such as Viognier or Gewürztraminer, contributing further depth and texture.

Crafting the Sweetness:

• Late Harvesting: The grapes are meticulously handpicked very late in the season, often after careful selection of individual bunches that have been blessed by noble rot.
• Fermentation & Ageing: The winemaking process is designed to enhance the wine’s complexity. A portion of the grape must is typically fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness, whilst another portion (often around 40-60%, depending on the vintage) undergoes fermentation in second-use French oak barrels. This oak contact lends texture and body without overwhelming the delicate fruit. Subsequently, a significant portion of the wine is aged in French oak barrels for several months (for example, 7-10 months), allowing the flavours to integrate beautifully and develop subtle nuances.

Tasting Profile: This Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc typically presents a bright, alluring golden colour. On both the nose and palate, it offers a luscious array of concentrated sweet and aromatic notes:

• Aromas: Expect lively scents of honey, ripe apricot, dried papaya, and vibrant citrus fruits (such as candied lemon or orange zest). You might also detect elegant floral notes of honeysuckle, almonds, walnuts, and that distinctive botrytised complexity reminiscent of raisins or quince.
• Palate: The wine is sumptuously sweet but critically balanced by a refreshing, zippy acidity. This acidity is key, preventing the wine from being cloying and ensuring a lively, clean finish. It often boasts a smooth, velvety, or creamy texture and a long, persistent finish with lingering notes of fruit and honey. Some vintages may even reveal subtle hints of pear or pineapple, with an underlying mineral quality or delicate woody character from the oak ageing.

Serving Suggestions: As a dessert wine, it’s best served chilled, but not excessively cold, to allow its intricate aromatic profile to fully emerge. The 100ml glass is an ideal serving size for such a rich wine, as its intensity means a small quantity is perfectly satisfying.

Food Pairings: With its exquisite balance of sweetness and refreshing acidity, this Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc is remarkably versatile when it comes to food pairings:

• Desserts: A natural complement to fruit-based desserts, particularly those featuring stone fruits like peaches or apricots, tarts, panna cotta, or even a simple fresh fruit salad. Its brightness can elegantly cut through the richness of creamy puddings or cheesecakes.
• Cheeses: A classic and highly recommended pairing is with semi-soft, pungent, or creamy cheeses, especially blue cheeses (such as Roquefort or Stilton) or goat’s cheese. The interplay of sweet and savoury flavours is truly exceptional.
• Foie Gras: For a truly indulgent experience, it pairs beautifully with foie gras.
• Light Asian Dishes: The delightful medium-sweetness can also complement certain light Asian cuisines, particularly dishes featuring sweet components like palm sugar, or even some spicier Thai dishes where its sweetness provides a lovely counterpoint to the heat.

In London, you will be able to enjoy a glass of this exquisite wine at places Paladar London, which is known for its Latin American focus and well-curated wine list. You can explore our wine selection further on https://paladarlondon.com/wine/.

Overall, the Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Chile offers a superb example of a meticulously crafted sweet wine, showcasing the remarkable potential of Sauvignon Blanc when conditions allow for noble rot and the concentration of its vibrant flavours in a cool climate. It’s a truly delightful choice for a refined after-dinner treat or with carefully selected food pairings.