Tidings Magazine

Santa Carolina “Reserva” Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($11.95)

Fruit for this wine was sourced from both the Rapel and Casablanca valleys. Sweet pink grapefruit on the nose with some mild herbal/grassy notes. Zesty and ripe with tropical fruit/grapefruit overtones.

Santa Carolina “Barrica Selection” Chardonnay 2005 ($15.95)

The “Barrica Selection” wines are small-production, super-premium bottlings from selected vineyards in the best areas for each variety. Casablanca Valley fruit gives this full-bodied Chard ripe, tropical-fruit aromas (mango, banana) along with some spiced apple, vanilla and pear notes. Rich on the palate with mild spice, toasty baked apple and melon flavours, it finishes long with a little spice.

Santa Carolina “Barrica Selection” Petit Verdot 2005 ($15.95)

Not a grape variety you typically see bottled on its own (in fact, a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon was blended in to add length); Bruchfeld’s rendition shows an intriguing collage of cedar, licorice, black cherry, blueberry and aromatic spices in a dense, concentrated, tight, powerful package.

Santa Carolina “Barrica Selection” Syrah 2005 ($15.95)

Smoky, dusty aromas accentuated by some herbal, anise, slate and black-raspberry nuances. Rich yet elegant, with a nice interplay of black fruit, mineral, smoke and herbal/spice flavours.

Santa Carolina “Reserva de Familia” Carmenere 2005 ($19.95)

Bordeaux’s loss has been Chile’s gain as this exiled variety now stands as Chile’s “signature” red-wine grape. Fruit from the Rapel Valley is used in this wine and it contributes to the complex spicy, black-cherry/currant, pepper, mocha and dill aromas. Ripe, with moderate tannins, this blockbuster sports flavours hinting at mocha, cocoa and cassis. The finish is long, intense and spicy.

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