Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile
Cost: $18 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Pale straw with green reflections. Layers of aromas of grapefruit, boxwood, and passionfruit. In the mouth, the wine is dry and crisp, with citrus and herbal flavors and refreshing acidity. Finishes long. Ideally paired with shellfish like oysters or with grilled fish. Herbs like chives, cilantro or parsley. Green olives, chutney, and all types of goat’s cheese.
My Review: Crisp, refreshing wines are my go-to in the summer here in North Carolina. Add in some mineral notes and you’ll really win my heart. That’s why the 2020 La Cantera Sauvignon Blanc from Casas del Bosque in the Casablanca Valley of Chile was such a rockstar for me.
In the glass the wine a pale straw color, while on the nose I got aromas of grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, and gooseberry. The wine was dry and crisp on the palate, with a good, balanced acidity that wasn’t overwhelming or so acidic that it ended up hurting my teeth. Citrus notes and flavors of lime and gooseberry lead the way before giving way to a subtle mineral, saline note that I loved and found refreshing–unsurprising given that the grapes were grown in sight of the ocean in clay and granite-rich soils, perfect conditions for a wine that screams ocean breeze.
My wife and I paired the wine with a shrimp and chrozio paella from Antoni Porowski’s newest cookbook, and the bright acidity and mineral notes were a good balance to the heat and richness of the food. I really liked this wine, and at $18 it’s a great value; the balanced acidity and citrus notes are perfect for pairing with seafood dishes, or for sipping on their own.
Disclaimer: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
