British specialized media, Decanter, published an interesting article on the positive development of Chile’s white varieties in recent years, highlighting our great exponent from the Limarí appellation, Amelia Chardonnay.
In the June edition of the influential publication Decanter, Julie Sheppard, regional editor for South America, Spain, and Portugal, wrote the article “Chile’s new whites,” which highlighted the great potential that Chilean whites have achieved.
As Julie Sheppard states in her article, “Chile is better known for its red wines but, for decades now, the country’s whites have been undergoing a quiet revolution. The result is a raft of exciting styles and accomplished bottles that can stand proudly on the world stage.”
One noteworthy wine that symbolizes this revolution is the Amelia Chardonnay, which comes from the Quebrada Seca vineyard in the renowned Limarí appellation. On this occasion, the publication awarded Amelia Chardonnay 2021 an outstanding 95 points, positioning it as one of the list’s top-rated wines (which includes eleven other Chilean labels).
Julie Sheppard described Amelia Chardonnay 2021 as: “From the cool Quebrada Seca vineyard, 22 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, Concha y Toro’s top Chardonnay has a vivid sense of place. Fresh, with seashell notes, it’s also deep and concentrated, layered with citrus, hints of stone fruit and a subtle tropical signature. Fermented and aged in barrels (just 10% new), the oak adds richness and cedar spice. Linear acidity lends tension to a creamy mineral palate, with mouth filling texture and great presence on the tangy, salty finish”.
In the article, Marcelo Papa, winemaker for Amelia and Technical Director for Concha y Toro, emphasizes that “Twenty years ago, we were looking for more commercial styles. In the last 10 years, there’s been more of a focus on precision and finding a sense of place.” Therefore, recognizing these wines’ great origin, the Limarí Valley, a terroir that today positions itself as the cradle of the best high-end Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Chile and the New World.
