Tabalí Talinay Pai Review
I loved this wine. The nose offered eucalyptus and black cherry, and flavors of cherries, berries, and subtle spice. A light-bodied wine with an incredibly long finish, it was bright, had smooth tannins, and coated my mouth in the most delightful way.
Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick |
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About this Wine
Wine: 2018 Talinay Pai
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Talinay Vineyard, Limarí Valley, Coquimbo, Chile
Retail price: $65
Wine Access price: $65
Decanter score: 97 points (Decanter Magazine)
I consumed it: March 2023
My source: The Decanter Magazine Wine Club by Wine Access
The Back Label
Where to Buy It
Buy it at: Wine Access
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Discover More
From this wine club: The Decanter Magazine Wine Club by Wine Access
From this winery: Tabalí
Region: Chile
Wine color/style: Red wine
Grape variety or blend: Pinot noir
Tasting notes: Black cherry, Berry, Spice, Bright
Other characteristics: My favorites, Aged, Whole cluster, Food friendly
Talinay Pai: What I think
In an earlier shipment of the Decanter Wine Club, I received the Talinay Chardonnay, which was incredible. So naturally I was hopeful this Pinot Noir — the winery’s “reserve” Pinot — would be exceptional. And it was.
Continuing the trend of the shipment, I loved this wine. The nose offered eucalyptus and black cherry, and flavors of cherries, berries, and subtle spice. A light-bodied wine with an incredibly long finish, it was bright, had smooth tannins, and coated my mouth in the most delightful way. Look at that color!
Pai is produced from a special plot within the Talinay Vineyard and the 2018 is the first vintage for this wine. It was fermented with 40% whole clusters and native yeasts before spending a year in French oak. The grapes in the vineyard are ungrafted selections from Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy) and are on a steep slope planted to a very high density.
The back labels of Talinay wines tell a story about geography and geology, but they leave out some cool details: it is located just west of the Atacama desert (the driest place on earth) and is just seven miles from the ocean. The area that surrounds the vineyard is part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Last updated: August 2, 2023
Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).
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