Cipreses vineyard sauvignon blanc 2022 (Casa Marin)

Drink now or cellar for up to 4 years. Serve chilled. This elegant coastal Sauvignon Blanc from Chile’s San Antonio Valley is the flagship wine of Casa Marin which is located just a few kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The Marin family actually had to fight to be allowed to plant vineyards in Lo Abarca which sits just 5km from the sea. Sauvignon Blanc just happens to be the favourite grape of their winemaker, Felipe Marin, so it’s no surprise that they have dedicated 16 of the property’s 41 hectares to the variety. This single vineyard Sauvignon is particularly special since it was declared the best white made in South America by the legendary American wine critic Robert Parker. The grapes are planted on prime chalk and granite soils and the nearby ocean creates morning fogs which help to moderate summer temperatures. These conditions are ideal for premium winemaking since the grapes can reach optimum ripeness without losing aromatics and freshness. At harvest time the fruit is handpicked from seven separate blocks within the vineyard according to the soil type with each lot fermented separately. The young wine is then left to rest on the lees for a short period in stainless steel tanks. This process creates a youthful and vibrant white that’s bursting with pink grapefruit, lychee, rhubarb and zingy citrus notes. On the palate there’s a mouthwatering freshness and salty minerality which makes this ideal to serve as a refreshing aperitif.