There are very few wines that have such a strong sense of place as volcanic wines and this one takes you right to the rim of the crater. It’s there in the aromas of crushed basalt and whetstone amidst sweet red cherry, strawberry, orange peel and something glossy that reminds me of an old-vine Morgon from one of the new-wave Beaujolais producers. Only a few bottles have made their way to the UK and we suggest that adventurous wine drinkers snap them up asap.

This is a single-vineyard cuvée made from Negramoll on the slopes (‘Ladera’ means slope) of the San Antonio volcano in the south. It has a slightly deeper colour than Vicki’s other reds, which tend to be notably pale. It fermented with full clusters and matured in oa single 600-litre oak barrel. The grapes see a lot of sun, because of the exposition, but somehow the wine has a freshness that sings in this vintage (the first release since 2018, mainly due to drought). 13.5% alc. Drink now-2034. Organic farming.

Press review:

The Wine Advocate: “A red that was only produced in 2018 and the rest of the years went to the cuvée of Negramoll comes back as the 2022 Ladera. It's from the slopes (hence the name) of the Volcán San Antonio in the south. It has a deeper color than most of the other reds from the year. It fermented with full clusters and matured in a 600-liter oak barrel. It has a very spicy nose with pungent notes of cloves. The grapes get a lot of sun, because of the exposition on lapilli volcanic ash soils, but somehow the wine has an herbal side that suggests freshness. Drink now-2028.” 94 points