Aromatic White Wines from Chile


De Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat 2013, Itata Valley, Chile (£13-£14 Les Caves de Pyrene, Whole Foods Market, Winemakers Club, Exel Wines, Bijou Bottles)
It’s the heady, heavy grapiness you notice first, along with an exotic Gewürz-like rose petal and lychee character. Then a clay-like terracotta roof tile earthiness makes its presence felt. I like the tang, aromatic lift and juicy fruit here, as well as the funky earthy edge, but there’s also in the background a touch of the hamster cage character that speaks of low/zero sulphur levels. Hmm… S-

Casa Silva Reserva Viognier 2013, Colchagua, Chile (£10.95 Addisons, Arkells, Averys, Bablake Wines, Caviste, Fine Wines Direct, Michael Jobling Wines, Arthur Rackham, Palmers Brewery, Charles Steevenson Wines, Sandhams Wine Merchants, Xander Wines, The Derbyshire Wine Co, Roberts & Speight)
Feels rather formal after the Muscat, but there’s reasonable peachy nut kernel flavours, along with some spicy vanilla; just let down by a too-obvious lemon and lime jelly character. B(-)

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