Escudo Rojo : Baronesa P. 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Baronesa P. 2020 from Escudo Rojo

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays an intense, deep ruby-red color, lifted by violet highlights typical of a young wine.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic intensity dominated by notes of black fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry. These primary aromas are accompanied by vanilla, caramelized nuances and toasted hazelnut brought by barrel aging. Hints of black pepper, cedar and graphite complete this complex bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is generous and concentrated, driven by elegant, ripe and finely structured tannins. A natural freshness brings complexity to the palate, where flavors of wild blueberry, blackberry, Asian spices and toffee intertwine. The balance between the richness of the fruit, acidity and tannic structure gives the wine both power and refinement. The finish is exceptionally persistent, combining elegance and intensity.

Food and wine pairings

The Baronesa P. 2020 pairs ideally with grilled or roasted red meats, notably herb-crusted lamb and beef. It also matches very well with duck, game and aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve favorably through around 2030.

A tribute to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild from the Chilean valley of Central Valley

The estate

Escudo Rojo was created in 1999 by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild in the Maipo Valley in Chile. The name Escudo Rojo, meaning “red shield” in Spanish, directly refers to the historic emblem of the Rothschild family. The estate has a 63-hectare vineyard and a winery inaugurated in 2003 in Buin-Maipo, located about 45 kilometers south of Santiago. Today, the brand is led by Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, President of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, while Emmanuel Riffaud has overseen management and winemaking since 2008. Escudo Rojo stands out for its Bordeaux-style blending approach and its commitment to sustainable viticulture, certified by the Sustainable Wine of Chile program.

The vineyard

The Baronesa P. 2020 comes from carefully selected micro-terroirs within the estate-owned vineyard located in the Maipo Valley. This prestigious region benefits from a Mediterranean climate tempered by cool air masses descending from the Andes at night, creating a diurnal temperature range favorable to grape ripening. The soils, colluvial in nature and particularly stony, have low fertility, which naturally limits vine vigor and promotes berry concentration. The estate applies a rigorous plot-selection protocol requiring three years of evaluation before a parcel is deemed worthy of being included in Escudo Rojo wines. Electrical conductivity mapping techniques make it possible to identify micro-zones precisely within the plots.

Vinification and aging

The grapes intended for the Baronesa P. 2020 are harvested by hand in small ten-kilogram crates. Sorting is carried out in two passes, before and after destemming, complemented by optical sorting. Parcel-by-parcel vinification takes place with daily monitoring, allowing precise adjustments. This Chilean wine was then aged for fourteen months in French oak barrels, 65% new barrels and 35% once-used barrels.

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (81%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Syrah (5%), Petit Verdot (5%), Carménère (4%)