Porta Chardonnay 2007

January 15, 2008 at 6:41 am · Filed under Maipo Valley, Cachapoal Valley, Chardonnay wine Chile

VINEYARDS:
The grapes were hand-picked at the optimum level of maturity in our own vineyards in the Cachapoal and coastal Maipo Valleys.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING:

The grapes were hand-picked at their optimum maturity for full flavor profiles. They were kept cool and whole cluster pressed to obtain the finest must. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at 13 to 15°C (55°-59°F).

TASTING NOTES:
Bright honey-gold in color. Fresh tropical fruit, pineapple, peach, nectarine, and citrus appear on the nose with a hint of banana. Very fresh on the palate.

Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2007
Origin: Central Valley (Cachapoal Valley and Coastal Maipo Valley)

PREBOTTLING ANALISIS
PH: 3,27
Total Acidity: 3,33 (gr/l sulfuric acid)
Alcohol: 13,5
RS: 2,1 gr/l

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Torreon de Paredes Chardonnay 2006.

December 17, 2007 at 5:28 pm · Filed under Cachapoal Valley, Chardonnay wine Chile

The grapes for this wine are usually harvested in mid-February, at their optimum ripeness. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks. Pale yellow coloured with golden hints, this wine shows tropical fruit aromas like pineapple and banana as well as floral notes. Young, fresh, fruity and balanced on the palate.

Ideal to Serve at 8-10°C with fish, ceviche, abalone, squid, prawns, white meats or as an aperitif.

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Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Syrah 2004, Cachapoal Valley.

September 11, 2007 at 1:13 am · Filed under Cachapoal Valley, Shiraz wine Chile

This Syrah is grown in rocky Las Kuras Vineyard of Requinoa, in the Cachapoal Valley, and it’s from Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Syrah wine Cachapoal Valleytheir midlevel Cuvee Alexandre series. It’s made from 100% Syrah grapes grown after a dry 2003 season which resulted in budding some 10 days earlier than average. What’s really crazy is that there was no rain registered that summer at all. The wine was aged for 21 months in new French oak barrels and it weighs in at 14.5% alcohol.

Dark purple in color. The nose took a while to open up, but when it did it revealed definite meat aromas with ripe dark fruits. This wine feels very fleshy and full bodied. I get some complex notes that include chocolate and cigar box. Overall, it’s well balanced and persistent on the finish. While I do find this wine to be worth the $20 I paid, it’s not as intriguing as the Montes Alpha Syrah I tasted a few weeks ago. It went extremely well with the sausage and peppers I had for dinner and got better with every sip I took.

*****History - Story*****
I must sound like a broken record. It seems like every wine I write about lately is from Chile. Well I just can’t help it. The price to quality ratio of these wines is impressive. The Carmeneres are basically free. The Cab Sauvignon and Merlots are usually half of what I’d pay for a comparable domestic version. The Pinot Noir can be satisfying while still accessible under $20. For some reason Chilean Syrah is undeniably more expensive then the other varietals. While the bargain wines I’ve had before are consistently a pleasant surprise, at $20 I’m expecting a $35 flavor profile that will rock my palate.

Casa Lapostolle Winery was founded in 1994 by the Marnier Lapostolle family from France and the Rabat family from Chile. The French connection are founders and owners of Grand Marnier ( of the Spirit fame) and have been winegrowers in the Loire Valley. They own 300 hectacres and produce 150,000 cases, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, and Syrah.

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