The sun is shining the birds are singing, and the temprature is only at freezing! Spring must be in the air! With that in mind I decided to write about two good but very different wines from the same producer in Chile. One is a Sauvignon Blanc and the other a Merlot.
Those who know me are probably not suprised that I am writing about a Chilean Merlot, as I have always been a big fan of the grape when it is produced in Chile. On the other hand I have never been a fan og Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. I find most of the Sauvignon blanc produced there to be fat, flat and generally badly done, for each one I taste that is decent, I taste about ten that at best are badly done and wonder what on god´s green earth were these winemakers thinking! (my opinion). It has to be a dam good wine to be able to drag me from my New Zealand og Sancerre wines!
With that in mind, shall we start with the Sauvignon Blanc!
Aresti Trisquel Sauvignon Blanc Gran reserve 2020 from Anconcagua Chile is despite its young age, very developed and open in the aroma. There is no question we have a real Sauvignon Blanc here! The wine has a grassy start which goes to lots of asparagus and gooseberry aromas. The palate is open, crisp, clean and fresh starting with lots of gooseberry, asparagus and then slowly showing sour hey and citrus in the end. The aftertaste is long, dry and fresh. This is not a cellar wine, enjoy it during the summer while it is still fresh. I can see it as a wine I will be drinking all summer long.
Conclusion: Great wine that reminds me more of a french Sancerre than a new world wine. Should go great with salads and even better with the sun (if we get any this year). The price is great at only 2.989 kr.
Aresti Trisquel Merlot 2019, Valle de Central, Chile still has a fairly closed nose and doesn´t really open until about 30 minutes after opening and pouring in the glass, when it does open up, it has lots of plum, cherries and coffee to it. On the other hand the palate is very open with lots of cherries, redcurrants, vanilla, coffee, and plums to it. There is an excellant balance between the tannins and fruits and the aftertaste is long and thick.
Conclusion: A really good wine, can be drunk now, but will be at it´s best after 3 years. The price is fair at 3.365 kr. and the wine will go well with fowl and cheese.