The 2019 Laberinto Cenizas de Laberinto Sauvignon Blanc is from the eastern part of the Maule Valley closer to the Andes where you can find volcanic soil. Winemaker Rafael Tirado actually has part of his vineyard planted in the shape of a labyrinth, hence the name. Most Chilean Sauvignon Blanc comes from the coastal regions of Casablanca and San Antonio, so this wine is already unique in that it comes from Maule. The different terroir makes a huge difference in this wine. Typical Chilean Sauvignon Blanc tends to be generous in fruit and citric freshness along with some notions of minerality, salinity from the ocean air, and herbal notes. However, the Laberinto is dominated by minerality and acid with a bit of fruit in the background. The nose is complex: flinty and minerally with some herbs and spice. No doubt this is from the volcanic soils. The palate is very acidic with saline minerality along with a touch of herbs and something bitter. There’s a faint underlying green apple fruit. It’s a little fuller and more complex than an average Sauvignon Blanc although it sees no malolactic fermentation. It does spend some time in lees to gain complexity. Continue reading
Wine Review: 2018 Volcanes de Chile Tectonia Grenache-Petite Sirah-Mourvedre Central Valley
Bodega Volcanes de Chile is an interesting project using only grapes grown on volcanic soil. Although they source grapes from all over Chile, their wines tend to be fresh because they are at higher altitude and are minerally reflecting the volcanic soil. There are over 2,900 volcanoes in Chile for them to explore. Winemaker Maria del Pilar Diaz works with 3 main vineyards in Cachapoal, Maule and Malleco. This is owned by the same company that owns Undurraga, so you can find their wines at the Undurraga shop in Maipo, and they have the ability to distribute in many Chilean wine shops, the US and the UK. Although it’s listed at around $20 elsewhere, I found it for less than half the price in Chile. Continue reading