Errazuriz (Chile) Unoaked Chardonnay 2005
The Casablanca Valley is the source of the grapes for this terrific wine, and is one of the coolest regions of Chile, subject to cooling coastal breezes and fogs. Bottled in screwcap, the hand-harvested grapes are cold-fermented and the wine aged ‘sur lie’ to add richness. The nose has beautifully creamy apricot kernal and oatmeal notes, with plenty of orange and ripe, deep, apricot fruit. On the palate it has fine balance, with a medium-bodied but rich texture. A flood of cool, elegant orchard fruits and a seamless underpinning of acidity freshens the palate without detracting from the full, rich, but clean fruity character just hinting at a pineapple tropicality. A fine food wine too, with a savoury finish and good length. 7.99, Thresher
