White Wine Casa Marin Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc 2021. No need to decant. Located in the village of Lo Abarca, in the San Antonio Valley, Casa Marin is a family-run winery producing internationally acclaimed and award-winning Chilean wines. The vineyards enjoy a privileged and unique terroir on limestone and granite soils and a cold climate that can sometimes be adverse. The proximity of the Pacific Ocean means there is constant fog during the summer and winter months and temperatures are cold during the grape growing season and ripening period. These conditions guarantee the production of healthy grapes with excellent flavor and mineral concentration. Casa Marin is owned by María Luz Marin, the first woman in Chile to own a winery, who now runs it with her son Felipe. Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc from Casa Marin is produced from a blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sauvignon Gris. The grapes, coming from the highest areas of the vineyard, enjoy direct exposure to the Pacific Ocean and are fermented separately in stainless steel. On the nose, the wine reveals intense salty aromas, associated with citrus notes of ripe grapefruit, and scents of fresh herbs, and green mango. In the mouth, the wine is clean and fresh, well-balanced and pleasantly complex with good acidity and a touch of salinity due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean. It is the perfect aperitif for a hot summer day but also goes very well with seafood, mixed salads, and goat cheese.
2021
White Wine Casa Marin Cartagena Sauvignon Blanc 2021
White Wine Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2021. This elegant coastal Sauvignon Blanc from Chile’s San Antonio Valley is the flagship wine of Casa Marin which is located just a few kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The Marin family actually had to fight to be allowed to plant vineyards in Lo Abarca which sits just 5km from the sea. Sauvignon Blanc just happens to be the favourite grape of their winemaker, Felipe Marin, so it’s no surprise that they have dedicated 16 of the property’s 41 hectares to the variety. This single vineyard Sauvignon is particularly special since it was declared the best white made in South America by the legendary American wine critic Robert Parker. The grapes are planted on prime chalk and granite soils and the nearby ocean creates morning fogs which help to moderate summer temperatures. These conditions are ideal for premium winemaking since the grapes can reach optimum ripeness without losing aromatics and freshness. At harvest time the fruit is handpicked from seven separate blocks within the vineyard according to the soil type with each lot fermented separately. The young wine is then left to rest on the lees for a short period in stainless steel tanks. This process creates a youthful and vibrant white that’s bursting with pink grapefruit, lychee, rhubarb and zingy citrus notes. On the palate there’s a mouthwatering freshness and salty minerality which makes this ideal to serve as a refreshing aperitif.
2021
White Wine Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021. Serve well chilled. Today Cloudy Bay enjoys a reputation for being New Zealand’s most famous producer of Sauvignon Blanc thanks to the vision and foresight of founder David Hohnen. David recognised the potential of the Marlborough wine region and established Cloudy Bay in 1985 as one of the area’s very first wineries. The property takes its name from the nearby coast which helps give the Cloudy Bay Sauvignon its characteristic freshness and perfectly-poised balance thanks to cooling sea breezes during the warm summer growing season. The fruit for this iconic wine is sourced from 91 vineyard parcels in the Rapaura, Fairhall, Renwick and Brancott subregions of the Wairau Valley. Once in the winery it is carefully vinified with minimal intervention to allow the telltale personality of the terroir and the grape shine through. Each parcel is kept separate throughout the winemaking process to give the winemaking team maximum control over the final blending. On the nose you’ll immediately notice the classic New Zealand Sauvignon notes of gooseberry, fresh lemon juice, and ripe stone fruit. The first sip reveals a mouthwatering freshness carefully balanced by a smooth texture, medium body and juicy peach, apricot and nectarine flavours which end in a pure, clean finish. The crisp flavour profile makes this a great aperitif or partner for sushi, grilled fish, seafood and leafy summer salads.
2021