Home  Webisodes > 2012 Webisode #12107 - February 2012 Vintners Series Wines   Chardonnay, 2011. San Clemente

Item # V212W1 Chardonnay, 2011. San Clemente Vintage: 2011 Varietal: Chardonnay Vineyard/Appellation: Maule Valley, Chile Color: Very pale Nose: Fresh peaches and banana Palate: Slight with a hint of spice Finish: Apple and vanilla Rating: 94 Cellaring/Serving Suggestions: Drink now through 2014 Podcast Link: Online Wine Tasting with the Cellarmaster : SAN CLEMENTE - WHITE Retail Price $15.99      Log In for LOWEST price Price: Out of Stock Write your own review Printable Version

The history of Chile's San Clemente begins in 1990, when three good friends decided to plant the first vineyards in their family plots. They built a small winery and then, in 2001, they began a process of renovating and enlarging the old wine cellar, bringing in high-technology equipment to produce noble wines that represent the quality of the vineyards. In January 2003, Casas Patronales, parent company of San Clemente, began selling wine both in Chile and overseas.

The soil conditions, climate, viticultural management and winemaking techniques of a place all combine to define terroir, which is expressed by different, unique wines. Terroir can be understood as an ecosystem resulting from the combination in a given place, of soil type, topography, microclimate, plant roots, grape variety and people. One of the important characteristics of a wine is its character or particular nature, expressed in its colors, aromas and flavors. It is a faithful reflection of its origin, its inimitable character, which comes from specific terroirs.

The vineyards are located in the Chile's Maule Valley. The different soils and microclimates here imbue each variety with a different personality, according to each individual ecosystem. The vineyards are located in the Andean foothills as well as in the center and near to the coast of the Maule Valley. They produce wines which embody the flavors and history of this incredible area.

Our selection comes from the Limary Valley, known for its stony, chalky soils with a high percentage of clay, which give the wines a slightly mineral character. The coastal influence makes the climate cool and often cloudy, causing the grapes to ripen slowly, thus intensifying their fruity character.

This wine offers a bright golden yellow color, aromas of peaches, honey, banana and vanilla. On the palate, it is a lively, full-weight wine, with notes of citrus and quince and a delicate mineral finish. It would star with a salmon filet supported on dill-scented celery root puree.