Review: Los Vascos 2013 Chardonnay - Chile @pasternakwine

I've become quite fond of the wines of Viña Los Vascos. They deliver a lot of value at reasonable price points. This Chardonnay for example can be found for about $10. This wine was young and fresh with the potential to improve in bottle over the next 5 years. Chile is the next up and coming wine region to watch. Great value today and perfect for summer entertaining.

"The grapes were picked early and the harvests took place in excellent conditions between March 11th and 15th. Harvesting was done early in the morning, when the temperatures were low, which allowed for preserving the wine’s full potential. After sorting, the bunches were carefully pressed for fermentation in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures between 57º and 61ºF."

Tasting Notes 2013 Los Vascos Chardonnay

Color: Light gold.
Nose: Melon, banana, yeast, mineral note, breathe of cinnamon and sandalwood with rose petal.
Palate: Honey, melon, focused acidity, touch of heat at opening, sage on the modest finish. Probably unoaked.

Day 2: Lovely texture on the tongue. Almost a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc quality. Definitely oyster worthy. I suggest finding a patio to watch the boats sail by.

Thoughts: More aromatic than flavorful day one. Fresh. After 30 minutes balanced out with a more satisfying finish. Pair with oysters, crab, grilled prawns, fish and chips. My speed on day two and crowd pleasing style. Definitely recommended.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 14%
Closure: Screw cap
Sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports

Viña Los Vascos
Camino Pumanque KM 5
Peralillo
VI Region
CHILE
Tel : +56 72 350900
Fax : +56 72 350967
losvascos@losvascos.cl

DOMAINES BARONS DE ROTHSCHILD-LAFITE took over the Los Vascos estate (Los Vascos meaning The Basques, in honour of its Basque origins) in 1988. Los Vascos is one of Chiles oldest wine estates. Yes, on the label is the Rothschild logo, the five arrows symbolizing the five sons of original patriarch Mayer Rothschild.

Wine grapes have been produced at Los Vascos since the mid-eighteenth century. Today’s vines are the product of the selective multiplication of plants originally brought from pre-phyloxera 19th Century France.

The largest vineyard in the central Colchagua valley, at the foot of Mount Cañeten. The 640 hectares under vine are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) Carménère (5%), Syrah (4%), Malbec (1%) and Chardonnay (5%). Given that there was major replanting at the beginning of the 1990s, the vineyard is divided between a group of 15-year old plots and another group of 40 to 50-year old plots. The oldest grapevines are 70 years old.

Cheers and Salud!

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