Vinedos de Alcohuaz "Pingo Pingo" Carignan, 2016, 750ml

From a vineyard planted in 2009, Pingo Pingo is 100% Cariñena from vines in the Alto Elqui Valley. At an elevation of 2188 meters above sea level, this site is prone to snow and late spring frost followed by drought and intense solar radiation in the summer. These challenging conditions make for an energetic, nervy, and focused Cariñena of incredible length but one that requires extensive aging in concrete egg and bottle before its tannins turn silky and refined. While the universe of Carignan fanatics may be modest, this is a must-try wine for any who appreciates that even “humble” varieties can make world-class wines when grown in the right place and nurtured by a sensitive winemaker like Marcelo Retamal.