Chile has a long history in the production of wine, with roots dating back to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors introduced Vitis vinifera vines to the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, and Cabernet Franc were introduced. During the early 1980s, the Chilean wine industry underwent a renaissance with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging. This led to a rapid growth in exports as quality wine production increased. The number of wineries in Chile rose from 12 in 1995 to over 70 in 2005. The region enjoys a cool climate thanks to the coastal influence making its way up the Andes Mountains. Summers feature warm days and cool evenings to slow the ripening process and yield highly concentrated aromas and flavors.
Casas del Bosque is one of the most prestigious wineries in the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Located in the Las Dichas sector, this unique site is in the area closest to the Pacific Ocean, the westernmost and therefore the coolest, making it a benchmark in the production of cool-climate wines. Casas del Bosque has been repeatedly ranked as one of the best vineyards to visit in the world by The World's Best Vineyards.
La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc 2023 — This Sav Blanc displays layers of thiols, which emphasizes the different aromatic faces of the varietal, in this case grapefruit notes along with passion fruit and boxtree aromas. The aromatic sensation is defined, pure, pristine and intense. The absence of green notes is a sign of a warmer vintage than the previous one. The taste is dominated by citrusy and tropical notes, with a vertical and dynamic acidic sensation that emulates a sense of direction on the palate. There is a sensation of saltiness on the back palate. This La Cantera 2023 is an aromatic wine, which delivers the true cool climate expression of the site. 13.5% ABV. $23/7.50
Carmenère Reserva 2022 — Carmenère is one of Chile's most emblematic grape varieties. Casas del Bosque Carmenère comes from one of the best terroirs for this variety, Almahue, a place that provides the ideal climate and soil for the perfect ripening of this grape variety, giving elegant, fruity reds with soft tannins. Good color, intense purple with violet hues. The wine is lively and vibrant, with notes of tobacco and spices. On the nose, the fruit and tobacco leaf notes blend well with aromas of roasted coffee and cocoa from the barrel. It has the juiciness of a young wine and the roundness of Carmenère. 14% ABV. $21/7
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