Origin
Casablanca Valley, close to the Pacific coast, was Chile’s first genuine ‘cool climate’ area, heralding a new wave of fresh, lively, modern styles, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Single vineyard selection planted between 1993 and 2008 on the eastern side of Casablanca Valley at an altitude of nearly 800 feet.
The Chardonnay came from Casas del Bosque’s coolest vineyard in the western flank of the Casablanca Valley, near the Pacific Ocean. Soils are a mix of clay and sand, with an average vine age of 15 years. Yields, as ever here, are restricted.
Producer
Casas del Bosque was founded in 1993 by Juan Cuneo Solari and was one of the first wineries in the Casablanca Valley. Today it is still family owned and managed by the same family – and they have acquired around 245 hectares of vines in Santa Rosa district, on the west side of the Casablanca Valley. Plantings include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Carmenère and Pinot Noir – all drip irrigated from subterranean wells.
The Casas del Bosque philosophy is based on the constant search for excellence, aligned to the finest expression of each grape variety’s character and sense of place.
Grape Variety
100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Grapes are harvested at night to capture the grape’s full fruit potential and acidity. The cool Sauvignon bunches are crushed and left in skin contact for 4 days at just 1⁰C; this helps to extract all the exotic aromatic notes that this grape is renowned for. The vast majority of the wine is made in stainless steel but a small (4%) proportion is barrel fermented and blended back to add a touch of weight and texture. This is complemented by 6 months lees aging.
Food Match
Cracking summer aperitif but a good foil for baked and BBQ fish, or an asparagus and goat’s cheese tart.
Alcohol Percentage
13%
Will (verified owner) –
To be honest, we got this based purely on the fact that we love the Casas del Bosque red sold here. Proved to be a great blind test technique as it’s another very drinkable wine from the supplier. Lovely!