Marques de Casa Concha, Chardonnay 2014, Limari, Chile

Tasting Note: A chardonnay chameleon that hints at warm-weather fruit while delivering on cooler-weather acidity lightly kissed with French oak.

Lemon-gold in color this wine has an aromatic nose of ripe yellow apple, pear and pineapple with lemon citrus and vanilla.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus bodied chardonnay expresses surprising lemon tartness on the attack given the ripe aromas suggested on nose proving that the fruit profile suggested on the nose does not always survive contact with your tongue.

The chardonnay displays bright, medium-plus acidity rounded out by lemon citrus and vanilla baking spice.

There are notes of mid-palate complexity.

If chardonnay is a reflection of the winemaker (as it is widely thought to be as an international grape varietal), I would guess this warm-weather winemaker is smitten with the enchantments of cooler climate vineyards – and spins that enchantment towards that benefit in your glass.

Bottle Note: This chardonnay is from a vineyard at 135m above sea level on the south bank of the Limari River. The limited production wine was fermented and then aged in French oak for eleven months. Striking minerals and pear aromas are synonymous with this part of the Limari 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.