Pale gold color; apple, lime, hazelnut on the nose; pear, yellow apple, pineapple, hazelnut, minerality on the palate.
Dry; ripe fruit, juicy sweetness; good acidity. Only hints of oak; aged in 169-gallon barrels with low percentage new oak. No tannins. Medium body. Winemaker Marcelo Papa makes this with grapes from the Quebrada Seca Vineyard, just 14 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, thus hints of salinity and minerality. The vines also grow in limestone, contributing to the brightness and mineral element, giving it a Chablis-type character. 14.5% ABV
Grapes are whole-pressed. Fermented eight days in oak barrels with bâttonage. Clarified with bentonite, followed by cold stabilization. Pleasing mouthfeel. Enjoyable, varietally correct, pleasing price point.
Marcelo Papa is the winemaker. He took charge of Casillero del Diablo in 1998 and the next year added Marques de Casa Concha, one of the best known and traditional brands of Chile. Concho y Toro lists this in their “Super Brands Portfolio.” Marques de Casa Concha is Concha y Toro’s flagship brand.
Concha y Toro is Spanish for “shell and bull.” Their wines consistently are very drinkable values, and Chile—and Argentina on the other side of the Andes—are major contributors to the exquisite abundance of quality wines in the world today.
Concha y Toro headquarters in Santiago, Chile, and is one of the global leaders in wine. The original vineyard was founded by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro and his wife, Emiliana Subercaseux in 1883. The original grapes came from Bordeuax. The vineyard was incorporated as a stock company in 1923, with shares sold on the Santiago stock market.
In 1933, Concha y Toro began exporting wine through the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In 1987, it partnered with U.S. importer Banfi Vintners, upgraded technology, and began its rise to a significant player on the world wine stage. In 1994, shares of Viña Concha began trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay, Limari Valley, Chile 2018 delivers rich fruit braced by Chablis-like minerality, salinity, and slight bite on the finish. Apple, white fruits, minerals-saline, honey hints add up to substantial chard at delicious price point. Clearly can be a go-to chardonnay for everyday tippling. Pair with shellfish, sea food and freshwater fish; crab and shellfish; turkey, game birds, chicken in white sauces; mild curries based on coconut milk; ravioli; polenta with white sauce. Cheese——creamy and bloomy cheese; fresh and soft cheese; bleu cheese, humbolt fog, brie, camembert, sharp cheddar, ricotta. $15-25
