winewaves

Root:1 Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc 2006

The Casablanca Valley is the source for this outstanding blanca de la casa. The story of Root:1 is that all the fruit is grown on ungrafted vines. Phylloxera has not stricken Chile like it has France, California and most other areas of the world, so grafting onto native resistant rootstock is uncommon there. Does that make the wine more pure? Not necessarily, but it makes for good wine conversation.

A lot of us are tired of Chardonnay and some us are so bored with it that we drink it from 3 liter boxes. We want to be refreshed, reinvigorated with something new. We want something good and expressive, and we don't want to spend too much. Importer Click Wine Group has done it again with this fresh and edgy wild white that rivals the best of France for a meager price.

Excellent value ($11). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 13.1%.

Style: Tart, unoaked, green, minerally, approaching shrill.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, with background notes of asparagus and flint. The lively tart and definitely not sweet lime rind, grassy and minerally flavors dance into the finish "as time goes by".

Comment: "You must remember this: A kiss is still a kiss".

Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2005

There's no reason not to keep a bottle in the 'fridge awaiting the opportunity to get things started.

The name translates to "cellar of the devil*", and is Concha Y Toro's value-oriented estate wine brand. Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2005 is 100% varietal, estate grown in the Central Valley growing region. Lots were aged up to 6 months in stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw, with a greenish tint. Aromas: Melon, grass, citrus and a slight hint of minerals. Light, crisp and dry, tangy grapefruit and green apple flavors whet the appetite with an eye opening finish. Closure: Screw cap. Excellent value ($7).

*Legend has it that Concha Y Toro founder Don Melchor began the rumor that his deepest darkest wine cellar was presided over by the devil, in order to keep vineyard workers out of the finest reserves.

Montes Estate Sauvignon/Fumé Blanc 2004

Montes* Sauvignon Blanc/Fumé Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, estate grown in the Curicó Valley. About 1/5 of the final blend was wooded 2-3 months in American oak. Curicó Valley is located just south of Colchagua Valley, about 100 miles south of Santiago. Tasting Notes. Color: Light lemon straw. Aromas: Gooseberry, peach, grapefruit, asparagus, and faint hints of flint and smoke. Here is a Sauvignon Blanc with significant body, tart green fruit flavors, somewhat rounded off in the crisp, extended finish. Closure: Real cork. Excellent value ($10) for a Sauvignon Blanc with some oak influence.

*Aurelio Montes is President and Winemaker of Montes, S.A.

Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc 2004 is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon, grown on the Las Kuras Estate. This estate property is located in Requinoa, in the eastern Chile wine growing region, south and east of Casablanca Valley, and east of Apalta. There are about 100 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, planted in 1992.  The vineyard is described as "stony".

Vinification included stainless steel fermentation and 4 months aging sur lie in large stainless vats.

The renowned Michel Rolland is retained as a Winemaking consultant at Lapostolle. 88 points. Color: Light straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Gooseberries, citrus/grapefruit, starfruit, green melon and a distinctive flinty mineral note. The mouthfeel is light bodied, fleshy, and tart. Citrusy and green apple flavors are backed by grassy, minerally flavors. The finish is quick, clean and refreshing. Closure: Real cork. Retail: $10. Value: Excellent. Food pairing: Apperitif or seafood salad.  Drink up! The 2005 has been released.

Santa Rita "120" Lontue Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Santa Rita "120" Sauvignon Blanc is part of the value-oriented "120" line of varietals, produced by Santa Rita, and imported by Vineyard Brands. The grapes were sourced from Lontué Valley* (90%) and Casablanca Valley (10%). The wine was cold-fermented and aged in stainless steel, by Andrés Ilabaca.

The vineyard locations, mostly non-estate (but under Santa Rita's viticultural supervision), are described as having "loamy clay texture, with good drainage on the Andean Range foothills". 87 points. Color: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Citrus (lemon-lime, grapefruit), gooseberry, and lemongrass/herbs. The mouthfeel is light-bodied, with palate-cleansing acidity. Simple citrusy, white-grapey/peachy flavors are fresh, spritely and resolve quickly. Very refreshing. Closure: Real cork. Retail: $7. Value: Very nice.

*Lontué is located in the southern central wine growing region of Chile, within an area called Maule, and is a bit warmer than Casablanca, which is further north near Santiago.

Veramonte Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the cool Casablanca Valley area of Chile, 22 miles from the Pacific coast.  Imported by Franciscan Estate Selections. Winemaker is Rafael Tirado. 87.5 points.  Color: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Brisk grapefruit and grass combine with hints of blossoms and spice to create a wild white of some complexity. The mouthfeel is light-to-medium, round, with citrus and apple flavors and nice acidity. The finish is clean and dry. Closure: Screw cap. Retail: $8.  Value: Very Nice. Production: 37,000 cases.

Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2003

Casa Lapostolle is a Chilean Estate of French roots, having been founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle (of Grand Marnier fame), and with French Winemaker Michel Rolland in house. This wild white is crisp, full-bodied for a white, with aromas and flavors of melon, lime and grapefruit, and a tart clean dry finish. This would be great with Louisiana boiled crawfish. The closure is a genuine cork. (A screw cap would be a plus). For about $9 (Nashville), this is a very good full bodied, estate bottled Sauvignon Blanc.

Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Occasionally (like tonight) this wine shows up at our house, due to its quality and value. The grapes are from the Lontue Valley in Chile. This year's Santa Rita 120 Sauvignon Blanc is excellent, with a pleasant fruity nose (grapefruit, peach, lemon-lime), and a nice citrusy acidity in the finish. Tonight, we enjoyed it as an apperitif with some Vegetable Jack Cheese. The closure is a genuine cork. (A screw cap would improve it.) At $7.49 retail (Nashville price), this is another real value in a crisp white wine.

Marques Casa Concha Pirque Chardonnay 2002

This Chilean Chardonnay is a nice example of a spicy Chardonnay, with oak and butter notes well restained, and with plenty of fruit ranging from pear to more tropical notes.

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, really liked this wine in his 4-19-04 review.  He said: "91 Points. Bold, with lots of spice and toast notes laying over ripe pear tartine, fig and mango flavors. The fruit stays lush on the finish, while a stony underpinning keeps it all honest. Drink now through 2005. 11,000 cases made. Smart Buys." Judging from today's tasting, the 2002 is still drinking quite well.  At $13.99 (Nashville Price), this is one to include in a mix case of Chardonnay. Update 2-23-05:  Wine Spectator just rated the 2003 vintage 90 points (March 31, 2005 issue).