Today I’m combining two recent themes in one post: 1) Sauvignon Blanc; and 2) Wine from Chile. Yes, it’s a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile.
This isn’t the first SB (wine lingo for Sauvignon Blanc) from Chile that I’ve tried. A few weeks ago I featured the 2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc, which was outstanding. In fact, there are a number of good SB wines coming from Chile. While the recent Wine Blogging Wednesday featured red wines from Chile, some participants were disappointed that they couldn’t review white wines as there are many very good Chilean whites.
Today I’m trying the De Martino Sauvignon Blanc, made from organic grapes in Maipo Valley—a region in Chile much better known for red wine than white. De Martino is a part of a larger operation that produces bulk wine under the Santa Inés brand, and they selectively chose grapes from their vineyard for the higher-end De Martino brand. They are best known for their Carmenère, in fact in 1996 they were the first winery to distribute a wine labeled as Carmenère.
The grapes for this Sauvignon Blanc were certified organic by BCS Öko-Garantie GMBH from Germany. While I’m not a stickler for organic wine, it’s a nice added quality.
This Sauvignon Blanc is more on the fruity side than on the grassy side. The nose has plenty of melon, mango, peach and grapefruit, with just a hint of cut grass and flint. On the palate it’s refreshing, light and fruity. Again the melon flavor is dominant, followed by lime, and a touch of peach. The finish is relatively quick and brings some flint/mineral flavor. This is a very approachable, simple and refreshing wine. All told, this is another good SB from Chile.
Wine: De Martino
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2007
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 87
Price: $10.49
Great write-up. I’m not as familiar with Chilean Sauvignon Blancs as I should be, and this motivated to run out and buy three different bottlings. Already opened the Haras De Pirque, very tasty!