Rafael Tirado Wines 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Laberinto

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Rafael Tirado Wines 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Laberinto Maule Valley 12.5% $20
I was excited to buy and taste this wine as I have read some compelling things about Rafael Tirado's own wines. Moreover, Rafael's pedigree is impressive. For decades Rafael has made very good wines in many countries using a wide array of grape varieties. Additionally, I love complex Sauvignon Blancs, and I think the variety’s potential is too often overlooked. 

This particular bottling is a hand-harvested, single vineyard wine that was planted by the winemaker in 1998. However, things are off-kilter here, and I can't help but wonder if the excitement around the other wines has overlooked the reality of this vintage’s Sauvignon Blanc. It seems that the pursuit of elegance and leanness has resulted in a meager, biting and disappointing wine.

The wine proved to be sharp and angular on Days 1 and 2. Its lasting Day 1 impression was olive brine à la dirty martini. Day 2 was similar if less polarizing thanks to a bit more girth coming through on this rather modest alcohol wine that starts with an unusual, glossy palate feel accompanied by noticeable breadth that cuts sharply into a citric and hard finish. While the vague fruit is pleasantly clean, this discombobulated wine is unpleasant to drink now and its evaporating finish suggests it has little life ahead. As the olive brine subsided, this taste evolved into something akin to water spritzed with lemon and lemon rind. 
Drink: 2020-21