We just did a podcast on Chile, but as a quick review and follow up, this wine is from the Maule Valley about 150 miles south of Santiago, the capital. With a Mediterranean climate -- hot summers, cooler evenings, and low rainfall during the growing season -- vines struggle, and the crop yields are lower than in other parts of Chile. A lot of Maule is dry-farmed (with no irrigation) and this region has lots of organically farmed vineyards as a result. Chardonnay isn't a big grower here, but it's got potential as this value wine shows.
The Wine: 2011 Chilensis Reserva Chardonnay
Where?: Maule Valley
Grapes: 96% Chardonnay, 4% Viognier (interesting addition but adds color and those high floral notes, see Taste)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $9.99
Color: Like a brass instrument. Yellow-gold. Even though only 10% of the wine was aged in oak, it certainly darkened the wine. There were thick legs from the alcohol. Overall a very shiny, rich looking wine.Smell: Nice tropical fruit was all over this wine: Pineapple and guava especially. The oak gave it a woodsy note with some baked lemon cookie, caramel, and butterscotch. A nice wine if not a little simple.
Taste: The wine had refreshing acidity, a little tannin and smokiness from the barrel aging, and was a tad hot from the alcohol. It was a straightforward wine -- tasted just like it smelled. Sugar cookie, pineapple, and some lovely floral perfume flavors like gardenia and chamomile from the addition of Viognier. The wine was simple, pretty, and refreshing. The touch of oak was light and completely appropriate.
Drink or Sink? Drink. For an oaked Chardonnay this was a very light handed, refreshingly simple wine. The finish was like a nice herbal tea. This is a well made wine and a really great value, especially for those who like lightly oaked Chard.
As a bonus Chilensis has a screw cap, which helped keep it fresh for an extra day. I love young whites with a twist like that!
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