2013 Viña Aquitania Chardonnay Sol de Sol

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 93.5 points

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  4/21/2022 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Recent wines drunk at home: Viña Aquitania is effectively a joint venture of Chile and France. It was founded by Bruno Prats (of Chateau Cos d’Estournel), the late Paul Pontaillier (Chateau Margaux) and Felipe de Solminihac, a Chilean winemaker of French origin. In 2002, a fourth partner joined the founders, being Ghislain de Montgolfier from Champagne. The main vineyard Quebrada de Macul, is located in the heart of the Maipo Valley, right on the edge of the city of Santiago (there are apartments across the road from the vineyard - crazy!). In 2018, I first tasted Viña Aquitania wines with Felipe's son - Eduardo - in New Zealand, before visiting the winery for a tasting in Santiago later in the year. In my opinion, Aquitania produces some of the best wines in all of Chile. The very best of these, again in my view, is the Sol de Sol Chardonnay. You have to visit Chile, and talk with local sommeliers and wine people, to understand what a breakthrough wine it was and is in Chilean wine circles. Its 'Burgundian style' was totally new to Chilean Chardonnay ... It is produced 650 kms from Santiago in the cool climate Traiguén in the Malleco Valley (at latitude 38 degrees south, one of the most southerly vineyards in the world (outside of NZ(!))). Vines were planted in the red clay, volcanic soil from 1993 at 150-200 metres above sea level ... According to Eduardo, 100% of the 2013 Sol de Sol spent eight months in French barrique, 10 - 15% new. Battonage was done twice a week. Eduardo also said that only 5% of wine went through malolactic fermentation, which needed to be forced. In 2013, 8,000 bottles were produced. In 2018, Eduardo said the 2013 Sol de Sol could be kept for 10+ years ...
  
  Under cork. Vibrant light gold. Aromatic. Citric, flinty mineral, spice and white orchard fruit notes. Also some green apple, blanched almonds and hazelnuts and hints of white meadow flowers. On palate, finessed and well balanced. Elegant and quite Burgundian. Pear, nectarine, clotted cream and blanched almond with chalky, flinty minerals. Crisp, precise, green apple acidity. Good body, volume and weight. Deft oak handling - the oak present but well aligned. Alcohol (13% ABV) also in appropriate proportion. At age nine years, nicely evolved. Now in its prime drinking window, until at least 2026.

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  7/12/2021 - br_winelover Likes this wine: 94 Points

  94-95pts. This is always among Chile's top 3 or 5 Chardonnays, and deservedly so - it is a joy to drink! Very complex on the nose and mouth, with great salinity and freshness - like perhaps a top Platt vineyard Chardonnay from Sonoma. Its spiceness and length are remarkable for a Chilean chard. Buy as much as you can find.

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  4/11/2020 - wcliao Likes this wine:

  a decent Chardonnay from Chile
  good aroma and taste
  not too oaky nor crispy

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