The Wine

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, Pitío is the first wine envisioned by the 27th generation of the Antinori family.

Climate

The 2022 growing season in Pirque was one of the best in recent years. Winter and spring were cool with lower rainfall than previous years, resulting in loosely packed clusters. Budbreak occurred right on schedule at the end of spring, with flowering taking place mid-December under cool conditions throughout. Veraison began mid-January at lower-than-average temperatures, and March brought cool weather with optimal day-to-night swings, allowing the grapes to gradually ripen while preserving fresh, dark berry aromas. The grapes were harvested between the third and last week of April, achieving peak ripeness and good balance.

Vineyards

Pitío’s first vintage was crafted from parcels 26 and 27 on the Haras de Pirque estate, in the Upper Maipo Valley. It’s the culmination of the Antinori family’s more than 20 years of research and development in this extraordinary terroir at elevation in the Maipo Andes foothills south of the Maipo River.

Winemaking

Selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes were fermented separately, with each vineyard parcel (or section of) fermented in small stainless steel 10hl vats to draw out the fullest potential of each individual lot. Once maceration and fermentation were complete, the various lots were aged separately in new French oak barriques until December. The wood type and toast level were chosen according to the potential of each parcel. The final blend was made that December, and the wine was aged in barriques for 18 months before release.

History

The wine’s name celebrates the Chilean flicker, a small, tenacious woodpecker native to the region — “pitío” was the Mapuche nickname for the bird, mimicking its distinctive call (“pütiw”). Pitío is a tribute to perseverance, reflecting the Antinori family’s more than two decades of dedication to unlocking the immense potential of the Upper Maipo Valley.

Tasting Notes

Intense red color. The nose is complex and mellow, with notes of ripe dark fruit joined by forest floor, dried hay, and impressions of bitter chocolate and tobacco. The palate is fascinating and well-balanced, remarkable for the range of aromas and flavors, accented by hints of laurel, mint, and pepper. The finish is elegant and refined.