Sauzal Vineyard
Empedrado – Maule Valley
Carignan / Garnacha / Mataró
2014 – Lot #55
Carignan – 3 barrels
Garnacha – 2 barrels
Mataró – 1 barrel
1694 bottles filled
November of 2o15
“The nose is fresh and has tantalising aromas of blueberries, violets, orange peel, raspberry leaf and aniseed with a touch of aromatic herbs that provide freshness. The palate is electric, with citric acidity, ultra-fine tannins and very good length. This is both rustic and elegant, wild and subtle. This is a superb, fresh, Mediterranean blend that shows what the Maule is capable of.” — Luis Gutierrez
Acidity (g / l) 7,13
pH 3,05
Residual Sugar (g / l) 2,37
Alcohol (% vol) 13,5
In a nutshell:
- One of eleven wines from single parcels
- Grower / partner grown by Nivaldo Morales in Sauzal
- ancestral farming by hand and horse, with traditional methods of the Secano Costero
- naturally fermented with native yeasts in open-top fermenters using punch-down
- Sauzal sits on the Coastal Range of mountains (much older and slower to cool than the Andes the sub-soils have cracked granite beneath that allow roots to get deep into cracks
- Barrel-aged two winters in French Barrels (various cooperages, 2 + uses– no new wood)
This wine was grown by a small farmer in the Maule. It was farmed by hand and horse with traditional methods of dry-farming 70+ year old vines with vines.
This wine is a tribute to the resilience of the ploughmen farmers of the Maule who have been stewards of the vines since colonial times. The 55th wine we have produced since 2001 it is thus labelled Lot # 55
T a s t i n g N o t e s
“Fresh, broad shouldered and well-braced”
“Floral junipery nose— firm mouth like a stone fist in a velvet glove”
“Soft and velvety with hints of dark fruits and spices. Some walnut. Medium to full body, round tannins and a savoury finish. Funky old vine wine.” — James Suckling
GWCo la semana con las bandas (UPA prepara para su set con GWCo) #gwcogente #gwcoharvest #gwcosauzal
Note burned hillside in background ;-(, #gwcosauzal
Black and white and red all over #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Garnacha from Caliboro does put a smile on one's face. #gwcogente #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Gorgeous fruit in Sazual cut yesterday. Niva is smiling ear to ear as we cut more kilos of better fruit than ever. #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcosauzal #gwcosauzalvineyard
And the picking went on .... #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
#gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Robinson doing his exploding basket trick #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal #gwcogente
La Cuadrilla wrapping it up #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Carignan from Sauzal vineyard #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Picking Sauzal Garnacha with Nivaldo #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcosauzal
Green is not the new blue. #gwcosauzal
Some green harvesting of the pampanos -- small green bunches that won't ripen and we need this energy to help ripen the principal fruit! #gwcosauzal
Great morning light on fruit #gwcosauzal #gwcoharvest2017
A productive day in #gwcosauzal #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcogente
Pilo & Nivaldo #gwcosauzal
Unfiltered #gwcoharvest #gwcosauzal
Personalities : "wanted in Texas" #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Personalities out picking with us today #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Picking Sauzal #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Gratuitous logo shot for Matt #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
#gwcogente #gwcoharvest #gwcosauzal
And we have brilliant sun for a picking day in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
The rain did not cooperate today but the colours did #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
And the pick continues -- Sauzal #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal #gwcogente
Garnacha #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Almost finished #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Early morning start - Carignan with Nivaldo hoy dia. #gwcosauzal #gwcsauzalvineyard
Made by hand -- capable hands, expert hands #gwcoharvest2016 #gwcosauzal
Great day for light hunting -- as well as the Carignan! #gwcosauzal #gwcsauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2017
Carignan #gwcosauzal #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcolately
C r i t i c s N o t e s
Descorchados 2017 Patricio Tapia
Sauzal Vineyard Carignan/Garnacha/Mataró 2014 Lot #55 – 95 Pts
De aromas un tanto más maduros y algunos leves torrados. La boca es recia y jugosísima, ideal para esos cerdos cocidos a la llama por horas y horas.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate # 23o
Sauzal Vineyard Maule Valley Carignan, Garnacha & Mataró 2014 – Lot # 55 – 93 Pts
The 2014 Sauzal Vineyard is also a field blend of Carignan, Garnacha and Mataró (Monastrell) from the vineyard of Nivaldo Morales in Sauzal on degraded granite soils that allow roots to get deep into cracks. Tannins in 2015 were a little bit firmer than normal and the wines in general a little denser. Nivaldo cultivates his vineyards in an ancestral way, by hand and horse. A small portion of the grapes were kept with whole stems and stomped by feet and resulted in more tannic and slightly higher volatile acidity that complemented the rest of the barrels. It’s more powerful, with flowers, spices and something earthy, resinous even. The palate is medium to full-bodied with balance in a slightly XL way, lifted by great acidity. 1,694 bottles were produced from three barrels of Carignan, two of Garnacha and one of Mataró. It was bottled in November 2015. Drink 2017–2027 – Luis Gutierrez
James Suckling .com May 25th 2017
Sauzal Vineyard Maule Valley Carignan, Garnacha & Mataró Field-blend 2014 – Lot # 55 – 93 Pts
Soulful red with juicy and earth with meat and berry. Full body and beautiful. Long and flavorful. Juicy and intense.
Notes on Previous Vintages from this parcel
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate #222 Dec 2015
Sauzal Vineyard Carignan/Garnacha/Mataró Field Blend 2013 Lot #45 – 94 Pts
I visited an amazing vineyard from a grower called Nivaldo Morales with Derek Mossman, an old vineyard planted mostly with País and some Carignan, and some País vines were regrafted to Garnacha, Mataró (Monastrell) and Garnacha (Grenache). The 2013 Lot #45 Carignan Garnacha Mataró Field Blend is sourced from that Sauzal vineyard in the Maule Valley. A very similar wine is also sold in the United Kingdom as The Ploughmen. The nose is fresh and has tantalizing aromas of blueberries, violets, orange peel, raspberry leaf and aniseed with a touch of aromatic herbs that provide freshness. The palate is electric, with citric acidity, ultra-fine tannins and very good length. This is both rustic and elegant, wild and subtle. None of these wines show any alcohol or wood. This is a superb, fresh, Mediterranean blend that shows what the Maule is capable of. Bravo! Around 2,500 bottles were produced. Drink 2015 – 2021 Luis Gutierrez
Descorchados 2016 Patricio Tapia
LOT # 45 SAUZAL VINEYARD
Carignan, Garnacha, Mataró 2013
Dominado por una acidez deliciosa, este tinto se mueve con nervio por la boca, como su tuviera su propia luz. Delicioso. 93 pts Patricio Tapia
Tim Atkin MW
Sauzal Vineyard Carignan/Garnacha/Mataró Field Blend 2014 Lot #55 – 91 Pts
Pictures of this vineyard taken over the past few years:
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gwcosauzalvineyard/
.......el futuro de la agricultura es volver al origen y garagewineco lo tiene MÁS q claro 👏👏🙏 por acá #nivaldo en pleno “farming” 👌donde nacen las joyas de Sauzal 💅 salud !! #gwcosauzalvineyard #sommlife
Cariñena in Sauzal Vineyard Nivaldo & Otelia #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Picking in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard
Picking in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard and working with @matt.wilson_gc to capture the growing year with Garage
Picking in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard capturing #fieldworks with @matt.wilson_gc #drone #dji #video #aerial @bibendumwine
Yours truly in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard capturing light and images of the early #fieldworks with @matt.wilson_gc #drone #dji #video #aerial @movichile @movilatienda @bibendumwine
Rare shot of Nivaldo without his lid! Picking in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard #video @bibendumwine @goprocl @gopro #goprowine
Our work party take 5 #gwcofieldworks @bibendumwine #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard Photo by @matt.wilson_gc @bibendumwine @gwcofieldcraft
And it’s back to Sauzal today for the Carignan at Nivaldo’s. Reduced team small truck and terrific fruit ahead! #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Tête a tête with Don Nivaldo talking frosts ;-(, #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcofieldworks credit @juanjaeger #gwcogente
Sauzal panorama Nivaldo & Otelia & neighbors #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Don Radel - canastero extraordinario Sauzal Vineyard Nivaldo & Otelia #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Punching down Garnacha 2o18 #gwcosauzalgarnacha #gwcosauzalvineyard
José hard at work Sauzal Vineyard #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Radel canastero (and scribner ) Sauzal Vineyard #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Nivaldo salutes Sauzal Vineyard #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Caminando in Sauzal Vineyard #gwcosauzalvineyard
Nivaldo has found new transportation : a Jet Pack #gwcosauzalvineyard
Hangin with Don Niva this afternoon #gwcosauzalvineyard
Some extra hands helping a small pick at #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2019
Garnacha de Sauzal #gwcosauzalvineyard
Cutting fruit in Sauzal with DonNivaldo #gwcosauzalvineyard #maule #chileanwine #movi #gwcoharvest2019
And harvest continues with Cariñena in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2019 #gwcosauzalvineyard
On the road early— early bird gets s the better fruit temp. #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard #video #wine
Nivaldo Morales vigneron, farmer, steward of the land #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofam @bibendumwine
Juan Jaeger photojournalist Chile lends a hand in Sauzal @juanjaeger #gwcosauzalvineyard Juan Jaeger fotógrafo y periodista especializada en vino presta unas manos en Sauzal — ojo Chilenos Juan tiene botellas de un Library Release de Sauzal Vineyard añada 2013 (lot 45) favor ver su sitio @vinos.natural para más información y para comprar mientras quedan ! #sauzal
Gorgeous fruit in Sazual cut yesterday. Niva is smiling ear to ear as we cut more kilos of better fruit than ever. #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcosauzal #gwcosauzalvineyard
And slowly color begins to appear #sauzal #gwcosauzalvineyard
Garnacha from Sauzal first pass picking -- note 5 plant rows left behind (too close to the fire) #gwcosauzalvineyard
And Sauzal Vineyard today (January 16th) y el mismo viñedo en Sauzal hoy en enero (16) #gwcosauzalvineyard
Early pickings - #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofam #gwcosauzalvineyard
Last one — I shall look for something current tomorrow #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2019
Help from the next generation today #gwcoharvest17 #gwcosauzalvineyard
A productive day in #gwcosauzal #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcogente
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes Garnacha ticky-tacky
Little boxes on the hillside... #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2017 #gwcolately
The one, the only, Monchito lending a hand in Sauzal - el único Monchito presta manos en Sauzal #galletadelinares #gwcoharvest2019 #gwcosauzalvineyard
Youngest pictured here in #gwcosauzalvineyard last week offering to go picking with me this week -- anything to avoid going back to school tomorrow!
Rebirth #gwcosauzalvineyard
This is a test Do not adjust your set— if the mug on this one didn’t already break said set. #gwcofam #gwcosauzalgarnacha #gwcosauzalvineyard #pitytheoldmantryingtobeahipster
Early morning ploughing Sauzal Vineyard vintage 2o18 Nivaldo Morales - Drone video by : @matt.wilson_gc #djiphantom3 #maule #wine #patrimonialwines #carignan #garnacha #mataro #gwcosauzalvineyard
Poda hecha ha llegado el momento meter con arado #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcotrabajosdecampo
Pais Sauzal - #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofam
Picking in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard
Out early in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcofam
Everyone wants their picture taken with Nivaldo #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018
No filter required Sauzal Vineyard Nivaldo & Otelia #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldworks
Two “canasteros” not to be confused with the pickers who fill the baskets these gents carry. #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofam
Canastero in action #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcofam #gwcoharvest2018 @movilatienda
Yes I was ridiculed for playing with my silly camera by people doing the real work— karma got even when I pinched a tire with 15oo kgs on as I left Nivaldo’s farm. #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcofam
Canasteros take a break while harvesters start into the next section #gwcoharvest2019 #gwcosauzalvineyard
Saludos : greetings from Sauzal Vineyard Nivaldo & The Gang #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldcraft
Earlier today with Don Nivaldo in Sauzal #gwcoharvest2019 #gwcosauzalvineyard
Self portrait on Cariñena - Sauzal Vineyard #gwcosauzalvineyard #gwcoharvest2018 #gwcofieldcraft
Why follow the harvest from home or office when you can follow the harvest from the picking box? #gwcoharvest2019 #gwcosauzalvineyard #gopro #goprochile #goprowine #mauleadicto #regiondelmaule #winesofchile
Nivaldo’s Chopper (If you don’t know who Nivaldo is see #gwcosauzalvineyard and if you don’t know what a chopper is try a little more flower and a little less power in your life.)