Wines Curico Valley Miguel Torres - Los Inquitos 01 - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Miguel Torres’s Cuvée Los Inquitos 01 2020 hails from the heart of the Curicó Valley in Chile, a region renowned for producing characterful and expressive wines. This particular cuvée is a red blend, although the specific grape varieties are not detailed here, Miguel Torres is known for working with both international and traditional grapes, often Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère for his reds. The 2020 vintage enjoyed a relatively even growing season, giving the wine balanced ripeness and expressive fruit character. Vinification at Miguel Torres follows modern, quality-oriented techniques with an emphasis on expressing both varietal and regional personality. The wine is likely to be structured and generous, with ripe dark fruits, subtle spice, and well-integrated tannins.

Curicó Valley, situated in the Central Valley of Chile, is characterised by a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights, which is ideal for growing red grape varieties. The Andes to the east provide significant temperature variation, helping to preserve acidity and aromatic freshness in the grapes. The valley’s soils are diverse, with alluvial gravel, sandy loam, and some clay, contributing complexity and texture to the wines. Miguel Torres, a pioneering Spanish family in Chilean winemaking, has been instrumental since the 1970s in elevating the region’s international reputation for fine wine, combining Old World know-how with New World terroir.

For pairing, the structure and depth of this red blend make it a fine companion for grilled meats, especially beef or lamb – think of a traditional Chilean parrillada. Equally, richer poultry dishes such as duck breast with berry sauce or a mushroom risotto would also complement the wine’s fruit and subtle oak influence. For a local touch, empanadas de pino or pastel de choclo are excellent choices, bridging the gap between savoury meat, sweet corn, and the wine’s supple tannins.

Serve this wine at a temperature in the 16-18°C range to allow the fruit, spice, and savoury notes to emerge fully. Decanting for half an hour can help the wine open up, revealing its full aromatic potential and softening the tannins for an elegant, approachable palate. This bottle is enjoyable now but can show further complexity with another few years in the cellar.