CILE, TERRA MAGICA

 

 

La prestigiosa rivista inglese Decanter, pubblica le degustazioni di 17 Top Wine cileni.

Ho avuto l’opportunità alcuni anni fa di partecipare a Valparaiso ad un concorso internazionale e di visitare molte aziende vinicole, i cui vini mi hanno lasciato sbalordito per l’alta qualità raggiunta. D’altronde in questa parte del mondo il clima per la vitivinicoltura è eccezionale , perchè da un lato abbiamo l’ Oceano Pacifico ed a soli 70 km la cordigliera delle Ande, dove vengono coltivati vigneti fino alla inimmaginabile altitudine di 2000 mt slm

 

Buona lettura

Roberto Gatti

 

 

 

 

Aristos, Duquesa d’A Grand Chardonnay du Chili, Cachapoal 2008

A new dimension for Chilean Chardonnay. Sensationally complex and savoury, with intense flavours of roasted nuts and tangy red apple. Both the alcohol and price are high on paper, but you resent neither in the tasting. 19.5pts/20 (98/100pts)

Price £50.78–£62.50 Justerini & Brooks, Slurp

Drink 2013–2015

Alc 14.5%

 

 

 

Aristos, Baron d’A Grand Vin du Chili, Cachapoal 2007 
A powerful, classic expression of Chilean Cabernet, but with a refreshing acidity and tannic elegance that sets it apart from the norm. (It also has a touch of Maipo Cabernet and coastal Syrah.) Peaty, figgy fruit flavours define a compact, dense palate profile with elegant maturity.  17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £29.28 Justerini & Brooks
Drink 2013–2015 
Alc 13.5%

 

 

Bravado, Marina Garcia Schwaderer Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca 2012 
Wonderfully cogent and limpid wine, dynamic in resonance but understated in flavour. Pure and clear, with tangy hints of pea shoots and peach. A deft combination of intensity and drinkability. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £16.99 Naked Wines
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 13.5%

 

 

Bravado, Sofía García Schwaderer Pinot Noir, Casablanca 2011
As with the Sauvignon, there is a notable and welcome emphasis here on freshness and drinkability. Leafy, earthy, red fruit scents lead into a velvety, vital flavour profile suffused with black cherry and herbs. Perhaps some of Pinot’s sensuousness has been lost in the drive for freshness but its restraint is to be commended. 17pts/20 (90/100pts)
Price £19.99 Naked Wines
Drink 2013–2015 
Alc 13.5%

 

 

Casa Marin, Miramar Vineyard Riesling, San Antonio 2010 
The 2009 was sensational and now this 2010, produced in tiny quantities after the vineyard was hit by frost, is coming into its own. There’s an almost Austrian elegance to this Riesling: it’s broad but grounded, with toasty lime and effortless mineral refinement. 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts)
Price £16–£17 Mentzendorff, ND John, Noel Young, Slurp, Swig, Wimbledon Wine Cellar, Woodwinters
Drink 2013–2020 
Alc 12.5%

 

 

Casa Marin, Laurel Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio 2010 
Vigorous, exuberant and beguiling, this fiercely individual Sauvignon is succulent and utterly invigorating. Flavours of cooked asparagus, pink grapefruit and honey combine with dynamic intensity to excellent effect. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £17 ND John, Soho Wine Supply Co, Wimbledon Wine Cellar, The Vintage House, Upton Upon Severn Wines
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 13.5%

 

 

 

 

Clos des Fous, Locura 1 Chardonnay, Cachapoal 2011
A Chilean take on Chablis. The style is understated, with hints of apple, apricot and a flinty quality. The flavours are all about crispness and a herbal, tangy lift – it speaks of icy nights and invigorating mountain air. Stylish and classy.  17pts/20 (90/100pts)
Price £12.99 widely available via Liberty Wines
Drink 2013–2015 
Alc 14%

 

 

 

 

Clos des Fous, Grillos Cantores Cabernet Sauvignon, Alto Cachapoal 2011
What I love about this wine, even though it’s not the most complex or brilliantly articulated expression of Cabernet, is its nerve and pared-back beauty. From its leafy blackcurrant aromas to the firm yet juicy palate profile, this is a fresh and fine red, the product of honest winemaking and a cool mountainous terroir. 16.5pts/20 (88/100pts)
Price £12.99 widely available via Liberty Wines
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 14%

 

 

 

De Martino, Viejas Tinajas Cinsault, Itata 2011 
Earthy, cherry scents with floral notes: pure and uplifting. Made in large earthenware jars, with minimal intervention, it is unadorned and beautiful for it – crunchy and utterly moreish.  17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £8.95–£10.50 Les Caves de Pyrène, Slurp, The Wine Society
Drink 2013 
Alc 13%

 

 

 

De Martino, Reserva Legado Carmenere, Maipo 2011 
Encapsulating De Martino’s new direction, this Carmenere is vibrant and well judged. It’s characterful, typical, but not overwhelming. 17pts/20 (90/100pts)
Price £8–£11.49 Harvey Nichols, L’Art du Vin, Les Caves de Pyrène, Oddbins, Park Vintners, Slurp, The Wine Society
Drink 2013 
Alc 13.5%

 

 

 

Falernia, Syrah, Elqui 2010 
Vivid, evocative Syrah bursting with engaging flavours of tapenade, black pepper and rich dark fruit. This spicy, savoury style is tailor-made for venison or game dishes. Superb value. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £8.50 Field & Fawcett, Great Western Wine, Slurp, South American Wines Online, Tanners
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 14%

 

 

 

Viña Mayu, Sangiovese, Elqui Valley 2011 
The Italian know-how shines through in this characterful but stylish Sangiovese. Dried cherry and roasted herb flavours come together in a succulent, elegantly textured flavour profile. Great value. 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Price £6.48 Asda, Guy Anderson
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 14.2%

 

 

 

Laberinto, Cenizas de Barlovento, Sauvignon Blanc, Maule 2011 
The standard-bearer for southern Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, this intensely tangy white is piercing and invigorating: a lean marathon runner rather than a body builder. Its diaphanous charm and citric structure bring to mind stones, earth and landscape rather than fruit. Ageworthy and groundbreaking. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £16.99 Naked Wines
Drink 2013–2016 
Alc 12.5%

 

 

Louis-Antoine Luyt, Trequilemu Carignan Empedrado, Maule 2010 
It’s natural, all right! Feral, floral, unashamedly wild and funky, this Carignan nonetheless has a juicy density to it that’s engaging and food-friendly. 17pts/20 (90/100pts)
Price £15–£19 D Byrne, Les Caves de Pyrène, Slurp, Swig
Drink 2013 
Alc 12.9% 

 

 

Montsecano, Pinot Noir, Casablanca 2011 
I’ve had some bottle variation with this 2011 vintage – perhaps to be expected with this kind of minimal-intervention wine – but at its best it is beautifully textured, with earthy, gamey hints and layers of wild berry fruit. Food friendly, vigorous and engaging. 17pts/20 (90/100pts)
Price £30–£36 Fields Morris & Verdin, Slurp
Drink 2013-2014
Alc 13%

 

 

Viña Leyda, Reserva Syrah, Leyda Valley 2010 19 (96) 
An everyday staple in the Richards household, this spicy, harmonious Syrah is refreshing and moreish. Flavours of black pepper, wood smoke and ripe dark fruit are sustained by vivid acidity and framed by elegant tannin. Outstanding value. 19pts/20 (96/100pts)
Price £6.99–£10.45 Great Western Wine, Majestic, Slurp
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 14%

 

 

 

Viña Leyda, Garuma Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio 2012 
The hot 2012 vintage wasn’t the best for whites, but this wine is a perennial over-achiever. Elegant notes of fennel, grapefruit and mineral hints define the nose; on the palate it has real presence and structure with layered citrus and herbal flavours. Delicious. 17.5pts/20 (91/100pts)
Price £8.50–£11.50 Aged in Oak, Great Western Wine, Invinity Wines, Noel Young, South American Wines Online, Slurp, Swig, The Wine Society
Drink 2013–2014 
Alc 13.5%

 

( Fonte Decanter )