Wines from Chile score well, offer great value

Summer and Sauvignon Blanc are a great combo. I recently had the good fortune to sample several from Chile. Many Chilean SBs are available and relatively inexpensive due to supply chain issues from New Zealand plus tariffs, and poor weather in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France. Montes Wines Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2021 rates 88 McD points under $15. This gets 1 price point and is one of the best of their recent vintages. Very pale yellow with greenish tinge, opens to lime and ocean breeze nose. Clean with bright mineral acidity, refreshing, great with local seafood and butter; you won’t need lemon. Old Bay-type spices, not so much. Regulars may have tried Montes’ Purple Angel Carmenere 2016 or ‘18 (93 McD under $70) or Folly Syrah 2016, 94 McD under $90. Montes produces a wide selection. With very few exceptions, due to vagaries in weather, they are great values. Matetic Vineyards EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $15, 90 McD is lovely but I have read the 2021 scores 94 points. I haven’t tried it yet. This is an excellent SB producer scoring 89 or better since 2009, with an 88 in 2012. Viña Morandé Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is not on our shelves yet, but it is coming soon. Opens with gooseberry, peach and citrus nose. Briny with herbal and citrus flavors supported by bright acidity through a long, clean finish with white peach notes. Try with cream of crab soup or chowders; 90 plus 1 price point McD.

Viña Tabalí Talinay Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from the limestone banks of the Limari Valley has had many accolades for 2021; Best Winemaker of the Year and Best Icon Wine are two of them. CEO and winemaker Felipe Müller was chosen Best Winemaker in Chile by that country’s prestigious La Cav’s Tasting Table Guide. Hold your breath – how about $24 for 95 points’ worth? The good news is that the 2020, 94 McD, is also terrific. If you can’t find this and your local guy is unable to bring some in, pay the shipping or drive to N.J. If you are asking your local guy to bring it in and a case of one varietal wine is excessive for you, think about a mixed case of their 93-pt. 2019 or ‘20 Chard; 92-pt. Talinay Pinot Noir (also 92 McD); and 94-pt. McD Talinay Pai PN 2019, RP 95. I am fairly sure if you are reading here, you will consume 12 bottles over one year, and all will store and improve in a cool, dark place. On to the 2021 Vina Ventisquero Grey Glacier Longomilla Vineyard Single Block Sauvignon Blanc 2019: That’s a mouthful name and a fine SB as well, 93 McD around $25. This resembles Bordeaux SB. A bit more herbal, with bright mineral and acidity on its umami palate. Try it with lightly breaded, fresh, local flounder sautéed in clarified butter. Avoid whole butter, or the whey will burn crust before fish is cooked. The ‘19, ‘20 and 2021 all rate 93 points. Viña Garcés Silva Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is the last in today’s skein. Safely gets 91 points, but I think, based on a review I read from Patricio Tapia of Descorchados wine guide, this may be due to young vineyards and having a granite and cooling sea breeze terroir, causing it to need time in the cellar. I’m planning on buying a bottle of the 2021, which many claim is a stellar SB year in the region, in hopes I’ll still be scribbling in two years’ time. I’ll let you know then.