It's not every day you get the opportunity to drink Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Read on to discover the details of this beautiful wine!
2010 De Martino Reserva 347 Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
by San Martino
The D-2010 Scale
2010 De Martino Reserva 347 Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc by San Martino Winery (Maipo, Chile)
Appearance (10 points possible): light yellow color, clear - 10 points
Aroma/Bouquet (20 points possible): Initially a bit reduced upon opening, but opens with a bright citrus, light honey, candied, mint, and creamy aroma. - 16 points
Taste (10 points possible): Medium-bodied up front, smooth with a slight oak flavor. Astringent in the back of the palate and lightly bitter in the finish. A lingering flavor of citrus with a slight buttery note. Very old-world style Sauvignon Blanc to me. - 9 points
Balance (5 points possible): The acidity was very fresh, but not over-powering. There appeared to be an oaky, sur-lie presence, but again, not over-powering. Well balanced. - 5 points
Finish (5 points possible): Lingering with hints of oak, citrus, and butterscotch. Very smooth. - 5 points
Packaging *Introduction to the D-2010 Scale*
Quality of Package (5 points possible): Nice bottle with a screw-cap top. Screw-cap is well accepted for Sauvignon Blanc as it keeps the aroma/flavor varietal characters in the wine prior to opening. - 5 points
Label Marketability (10 points possible): This is a traditional label (cream colored and not flashy), but yet has this extra piece of interest at the bottom, which makes it catchy. It's not going to stand out amongst a wine like Fish Eye, but it's pleasant. - 8 points
Other (5 points possible): There's no large extras on this bottle. - 3 points
Total Points: 91 points
Overall Thought:To me, the points don't do this wine justice. This was a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc that is a very big contrast from a Sauvignon Blanc coming out of New Zealand. I very much enjoyed the touch of oak and lees character without over-doing the alcohol. It was refreshing, yet smooth and serious. A very nice wine.
Food Pairings: A Sauvignon Blanc with this depth and fullness would probably go well with Asian cuisine (like I always state here), but also white-based pasta dishes, fish (including salmon, trout, and shellfish), white-based chicken dishes, fruit, and soft cheeses. I can also see this with something like plain cheesecake or Spanish dishes like Paella.
Cost: $12
Splurge Factor (out of 4): 1 - This is a good price for a Sauvignon Blanc. It's the type of style that I think some producers in Napa are trying to make, but half (or more than half) the cost of a Napa wine.
Where to buy: This is always a toughie for me now that I live in Pennsylvania because almost everything I buy is through the state stores or the wineries. For more information on this producer, check out their website: http://www.iconwineandspirits.com/chile/
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