Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 La Flor Costa Sauvignon Blanc was produced with grapes from San Antonio (of which Leyda is a sub-appellation) on the coastal mountain range 20 kilometers away from the ocean, where the soils are rich in granite. It fermented mostly in stainless steel, with 20% of the volume fermented in concrete egg. It was kept with the lees for four months. It has aromas of white flowers and citrus with the austerity of the granite, which is already noticeable on the nose as well as in the texture and the linear, clean palate. This wine is certified organic and they work biodynamically. It ends dry and with an almost salty twist.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.