Concha Y Toro, Marques de Casa Concha, Chardonnay 2015, Limarí Valley, Chile

Tasting Note: A substantial chardonnay — not just for Chile, but for anywhere.

It shows masterful winemaking, restraint and green fruit.

Medium-intensity gold in color this wine has a nose of ripe green apple, pear, pineapple and honey dew melon along with vanilla spice.

On the palate the dry, full-bodied chardonnay is creamy in texture with fruit suggested on the nose continuing to the palate lifted by hints of lemon citrus and light-to-medium intensity oak.

There is complexity of flavor particularly in the mid- and fore- palate supported by medium acidity that is in balance with the fruit character.

I’ve had previous vintages of this wine, it continues to impress every year.

A dinner party score.

Bottle Note: This chardonnay is from a vineyard at 135m above sea level on the south bank of the Limarí River. The limited production wine was fermented and then aged in French oak for eleven months. Striking minerals and peat aromas are synonymous with this part of the Limarí Valley north of Santiago. The oak adds generous helpings of vanilla and hazelnut. With a full and vibrant palate, the crisp acidity grants it a long finish.

This wine was submitted for review.