Casas del Bosque Casablanca Valley Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2017

Casas del Bosque continues its “hot hand” with its premier Chardonnay offering, the 2017 Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva. Born in Chile’s cool Casablanca Valley, this recently released Gran Reserva Chardonnay offers a striking pale straw color and plenty to admire in both aroma and flavor. The nose provides an enticing cornucopia of tropical fruits, quince, vanilla and spice. In the mouth, the wine enlivens the palate with bright, creamy fruit followed by a burst of bright acidity mingled with exotic spices. The wine’s pleasantly long finish neatly wraps the package and seals the deal. Full-bodied but not heady with alcohol, Casas del Bosque’s Gran Reserva Chardonnay makes its mark as a true crowd pleaser. Enjoy it now and often over the next couple of years!

Balanced, crowd-pleasing Chardonnays such as Casas del Bosque’s 2017 Gran Reserva Chardonnay need little in the way of accompaniments to please. The 2017 Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Chardonnay entices the taster with its beautiful fruit, easy charm, and the fact that it doesn’t wear out its welcome after the first glass. Yet, it is more than just a good aperitif. Casas del Bosque’s flagship Chardonnay provides the ideal companion to pan-seared salmon with curry quinoa, a grilled chicken and avocado wrap, and delectable shrimp salads. Grilled fish, pulled pork, and creamy pasta dishes make delightful accompaniments, too. Salads and soft creamy cheeses served with fresh apples, pears, or strawberries also provide simple, satisfying, uncomplicated accompaniments to the 2017 Casas del Bosque Gran Reserva Chardonnay. Buen Provecho!

Casas del Bosque is on track to become the most lauded Chilean winery of the decade. Each successive wine release from this boutique winery raises the bar to which other wineries can only aspire. Should anyone be surprised? Casas del Bosque has continuously pushed the envelope on quality through excellent vineyard management, site selection, and meticulous attention in the cellar since springing to life in 1993.

Located just 50 miles from Santiago, Chile’s capital, and 18 miles from Valparaiso, Chile’s colorful principal port, Casas del Bosque is a family boutique winery, whose mission is the production of the highest quality wines. By all accounts, including an enviable string of 90+ point ratings from world renowned critics, Casas del Bosque is not only fulfilling its mission, it is setting the standards of excellence among Chile’s premium producers in the Casablanca and Maipo Valleys. This boutique operation cultivates its own vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, the preferred place for premium white wine production and cool climate red varietals. They also have significant vineyard holdings in the premier red wine producing valleys of Maipo and Rapel, south of Santiago, areas noted for fashioning exceptional Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Casas del Bosque’s meticulous attention to vineyard management and careful site and varietal selection guarantee superior fruit for the winery’s portfolio of high quality wines. Such care reveals itself in each of this property’s prodigious wines, and it has earned Casas del Bosque the distinction of Chilean Winery of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London two years in a row (2013 and 2014).

Presently, Casas del Bosque has more than 500 acres of vines under cultivation, spread throughout Chile’s best viticultural valleys and microclimates. Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling hail from the winery’s superb Casablanca holdings and form the backbone of the estate’s white wine portfolio. Exceptional Pinot Noir and Syrah are also cultivated by Casas del Bosque in Casablanca. Casas del Bosque’s exceptional ultra-premium Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon red wines emanate from the warmer Rapel and Maipo valleys. The winery’s Gran Reserva and Pequeñas Producciones (very limited productions) are Casas del Bosque’s ultimate luxury offerings.