Wines Casablanca Valley Viña Cono Sur - Pinot Noir Ocio - 2020

Viniou Reviews

The Viña Cono Sur Ocio Pinot Noir 2020 from Casablanca Valley is an emblematic example of Chilean Pinot Noir at its pinnacle. Made exclusively from carefully selected Pinot Noir grapes, this cuvée stands out for its deep ruby hue and attractive aromatic concentration. The 2020 vintage benefited from a balanced growing season, lending the wine both structure and freshness. Vinification is carried out with particular attention to detail: gentle extraction methods, partial whole-bunch fermentation, and aging in French oak barrels, allowing the complexity of the Pinot Noir to fully express itself while retaining its purity and finesse.

Casablanca Valley, located close to the Pacific Ocean just north-west of Santiago, is one of Chile’s premier cool-climate wine regions. The valley experiences strong maritime influences, with morning fogs and cooling breezes that slow down grape ripening and preserve acidity. The soils, a mix of clay and sandy loam with good drainage, offer an ideal terroir for Pinot Noir, producing wines of elegance and aromatic intensity. Although relatively young as a wine region—serious viticulture here began in the 1980s—Casablanca Valley has rapidly gained a reputation for world-class white wines and outstanding Pinot Noir, rivaling established Old World regions.

Due to its supple tannins and pronounced freshness, the Ocio Pinot Noir 2020 pairs seamlessly with a variety of dishes. Its vibrant red fruit and subtle earthy notes make it an excellent companion to roasted duck breast served with cherry sauce, grilled salmon with herbes de Provence, or mushroom risotto. If you're keen to explore regional pairings, consider Chilean empanadas filled with beef and olives or a pastel de choclo (corn pie).

For the best tasting experience, open the bottle about thirty minutes before serving and serve it at 15-17°C. This temperature range will reveal the wine’s aromatic complexity while highlighting its silky texture and persistent finish. Decanting is optional but can help the wine open up and display its most intriguing layers.