So, I am in Santiago, Chile. I arrived here this afternoon, after a fairly gruelling flight on an old BA 777 (predictably, the Highlife entertainment system wasn’t working, so I couldn’t watch any films) and then a quick hop over the Andes with LAN Chile. I’m just here for a couple of days to take part in a conference, so I made the most of this afternoon, having a hot bath (I love baths), going for a walk in a park near my hotel, getting a little bit of sunshine, then going for a gym session at the hotel. Now I am feeling fresh and ready for an evening out.

Andi Schloss of Casa Marin kindly left a bottle of one of his wines in my room (he’s also taking part in the conference), so I thought it would be a great way to start the evening (I’d emptied out the minibar and chilled it down). And it has been. It’s a more serious expression of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

Casa Marin Cipresses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 San Antonio Valley, Chile
13% alcohol. This is a rich, bold expression of Sauvignon, combining riper notes of pear and quince with minerals, fresh grapefruit and some green pepper characters. It’s textured and quite intense, showing good concentration. I love the way that it flirts with bigness, but gets away with it, flirts with greenness but gets away with it, and also manages to keep a keen edge of minerally acidity. A thought-provoking Sauvignon of real interest. 92/100

Here’s a selfie tasting video of this wine:

2 Comments on In Santiago, and to begin with, a Sauvignon BlancTagged chile, sauvignon blanc