Chile & Argentina Dinner with RD Fine Wine & Hatch Mansfield
I recently joined Richard Dawes Fine Wine and Hatch Mansfield to taste some iconic South American wines at Hawksmoor. This was my first proper tasting of fine wines from Chile and Argentina so to start with iconic family producers such as Zuccardi (Argentina) and Errazuriz, Seña and Chadwick (Chile) was quite an introduction, thanks to our extremely generous hosts!
I was fortunate to be seated next to Errazuriz family member, Pepa Chadwick (pictured), who has joined Hatch Mansfield to represent their wines and other independent, family-owned, premium wine producers, including Zuccardi in neighbouring Argentina.
Founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz, the Errazuriz vision is continued by 5th generation descendant, Eduardo Chadwick (Pepa’s father) a champion of Chilean fine wines who has since established the iconic wines of Seña, a project with Napa pioneer Robert Mondavi, and Viñedo Chadwick, all of which we were extremely fortunate to taste.
In the shadow of the Andes, the Uco Valley is best described as a desert at high altitude. Irrigation is key to making wines here and it is this on which the Zuccardi legacy was founded. What started around the 1950s, when Tito Zuccardi planted a vineyard to demonstrate his irrigation methods to local farmers, then became an iconic family wine brand that’s now on its third generation.
The Zuccardi estate benefits from a variety of soils, due to movement caused by melts from the mountains above, creating wines that have a real sense of identity from each vineyard.
Specialists in supplying fine wine to the trade and private customers Richard Dawes Fine Wine launched in 2008. The team is super-knowledgable, yet have an informal approach to wine having also setup unfussy, online business, Marlo, offering fast fine wine delivery by the bottle. If you’re looking for wine advice, and to purchase something special at a competitive price, then I highly recommend getting in touch with Ben, Will and the team at RD Fine Wine.
I really loved the relaxed nature of this tasting dinner, super high-quality but completely relaxed, in a room filled with wine curious individuals who appreciated what they were being treated to, I know I certainly did. I only wish I had cleaned up at the Cheltenham Festival last week and I would’ve bought a case of the lot!
The wines
Taittinger Prelude NV Magnum
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
I’m a big fan of the Taittinger house so this was a real treat. Fine bubbles and a gorgeous minerality. If you’re looking to up your champagne game then this is a good place to start.
£265 for a 3 bottle magnum case
Las Pizarras Chardonnay 2020
A serious Chardonnay by Errazuriz from Aconcagua Costa, benefitting from the cool coastal influences and aged for 13 months in French Oak. Creamy, citrus and refreshing salinity.
£90 per magnum or £235 for a 6 bottle case
Fosil Chardonnay 2020
A delicious Zuccardi Chardonnay from San Pablo, a cooler site but this vintage was noticeably warmer. Fresh and creamy balanced with good acidity.
£195 for a 6 bottle case
Seña 2015
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere, 12% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
This was the highlight of the tasting for me. Seña is a Bordeaux-style blend from Ocoa in the Aconcagua Valley. A joint venture between Eduardo Chadwick of Errazuriz and Napa wine legend, Robert Mondavi to create Chile’s first iconic fine wine. They definitely succeeded! Beautifully balanced fruit, tannin and acidity. Wine guru, James Suckling scored this wine 100/100!
£435 for a 6 bottle case
Seña 2019
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 4% Petit Verdot
Already an absolutely stunner, this vintage is likely to progress as well as the ‘15 and beyond!
£465 for a 6 bottle case
Chadwick 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon 3% of Petit Verdot
This is an absolute dreamboat of a wine from Puente Alto, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Beautifully integrated tannin, balanced by acidity and dark fruit but still incredibly fresh and has amazing ageing potential.
£670 for a case of 3 bottles
Piedra Infinita Malbec 2017
This Zuccardi Piedra Infinita is a series of fine wines from specific small plots in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, this particular one includes grapes from up to eight plots but Supercal and Gravascal (below) are taken from individual plots. Red fruits, mineral and stone with a lovely long finish. Another ageworthy wine.
£225 for a 3 bottle case
Supercal Malbec 2017 and Gravascal Malbec 2017
In terms of quality you can’t separate Supercal and Gravascal but they are a definite expression of their respective individual small plots. All have a particularly stoniness to them with different influences of fruit and herbal/mineral qualities. These were the last wines of the evening and I would love to try them side by side again, with a fresher palate!
£375 for 3 bottle case
