Casa Bauzá

I think it would be fair to say that the Bauzá family are grape-growing royalty in Chile. Originally from Mallorca, where the family produced wines and spirits, they decided to send their eldest son, Lorenzo, to Chile to seek new pastures when phylloxera ravaged the European vineyards in the late nineteenth century. He eventually settled in Limarí after spending time in Huasco and Elqui, where he planted high-altitude vines.

The initial focus of the company was pisco, and in recent years there has been a distinct focus on high-end artisanal pisco, where they have rightly become known as one of the finest piscos in the country. The Casa Bauzá wine adventure started in 1998, with Lorenzo (the son of the founder) planting vines in the Pelan vineyard in Tiltil in the upper Maipo Valley.

The company is now headed by the next generation under the guidance of Rodrigo Bauzá, alongside the talented head winemaker Natalia Poblete. What stands out about these wines is their faithful expression of both site and variety. The Isabel Carménère, crowned as the best Carménère in this year's guide, is a standout example of how good Carménère from Maipo can be – sleek, rounded, and packed with power, but also extremely drinkable. They also exhibit a sense of minerality throughout the portfolio; these are wines that are expertly crafted and structured. Without a doubt, the Casa Bauzá wine project has followed the premium positioning of their pisco, and the quality is there for all to see. I am very pleased that they have received this accolade in this year's guide – congratulations to the whole team.

Project of Note - Casa Bauzá

96 points Isabel
2021

95 points Atrevido
2020

95 points Veraz
2019

94 points Presumido
2022

93 points Alboroto
N/V

93 points Valiente
2020

91 points GALA
N/V