Chilean Sauvignon Blanc Tasting Results

Not for nothing is Sauvignon Blanc one of the world’s favourite white wine varieties. For many people this aromatic wine with its zesty acidity is the drink of choice to accompany salads, fish and shellfish dishes or as an appetizer. And let’s face it, what could be more refreshing than watching the sun go down with a glass of ice-cold Sauvignon Blanc?

In fact, it is the 8th most planted variety of wine grapevine in the world and Chile ranks third (after France and New Zealand) for having the largest area of Sauvignon Blanc vines. No wonder therefore that the stores have an almost overwhelming range of bottles to choose from.

With this in mind, we got together a tasting panel to blind taste 8 Chilean Sauvignon Blanc wines at two different price points. A big thank you to everyone who took part in the tasting panel: Natascha Scott-Stokes (British), Ximena Carolina de Rodt (Chilean), Loreto Fuchslocher (Chilean), Richard Dixon (Chilean-American), Bernardita Valenzuela (Chilean), Lauren Hand (USA), Ricardo Parada (Chilean) and Helen J. Conway (British).

Results of first flight: Chilean Sauvignon Blanc wines under $5,000 Chilean pesos

1. Terranoble Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Casablanca Valley. 13% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $4,490). 5.75 points
2. Viña Casablanca Cefiro Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Casablanca Valley. 13.5% ABV (Retails in Chile at $4,990). 5.5 points
3. Bouchon Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Maule Valley. 13% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $4,590). 4.875 points
4. Cono Sur Bicicleta Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc 2015, D.O. unspecified. 12% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $2,800). 4.625 points

Results of second flight: Chilean Sauvignon Blanc wines between $5,000 and $10,000

1. Koyle Costa Cuarzo Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Paredones, Colchagua Costa. 13% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $8,490). 6.5 points
2. Valdivieso Single Vineyard Wild Fermented 2012, Leyda Valley. 13% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $9,490). 6.125 points
3. Bodega Volcanes de Chile Tectonia Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Leyda Valley. 13.5% ABV. (Retails in Chile at $9,990). 6 points
4. Cono Sur Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Casablanca Valley. 12.5% ABV (Retails in Chile at $5,200). 5.625 points

Overall favourite

Each panel member selected their overall favourite wine of the 8 tasted. The results were as follows:

1. Koyle Costa Cuarzo Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – 4 votes
2. Terranoble Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – 3 votes
3. Bodega Volcanes de Chile Tectonia Sauvignon Blanc 2013 – 1 vote

My tasting notes

Terranoble Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015.

Tropical fruit nose with pronounced notes of pineapples and limes, this was a clear favourite with some of the tasting panel members. Zesty citrus acidity in the mouth, almost like sherbert lemon. Very refreshing.

Viña Casablanca Cefiro Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2015.

A classical tropical fruit-driven wine with notes of pineapple and grapefruit, this wine had plenty of zingy acidity and was very refreshing.

Bouchon Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2016.

Perhaps the palest in colour, almost transparent, with aromas of passionfruit and green apple. Light, refreshing and easy to drink.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc 2015.

This was my favourite among the first flight of wines, having a more subtle nose with some stone fruit (peaches, apricots) alongside green apple and the classic citrus aromas, like lime. This was a very pleasant, easy-drinking and less aggressively acidic wine than the others in the flight.

Koyle Costa Cuarzo Sauvignon Blanc 2015

This was the most herbaceous of all the wines in the two flights, with notes of green pepper, chilli pepper and grass intermingled with citrus notes like green lemons. Very elegant in the mouth, with citrus and herbaceous flavours again apparent. Very long finish.

Valdivieso Single Vineyard Wild Fermented 2012

An intriguing wine; very different to all the rest, as it had undergone six months’ oak-ageing, giving it much more body, deeper colour and a creamy texture that is unusual in Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The nose was more complex, with notes of green apples, a slightly lactic note. This had a whole different mouthfeel to the other wines and was very pleasant. This wine would pair well with richer fish dishes or chicken.

Bodega Volcanes de Chile Tectonia Sauvignon Blanc 2013

A very classic style of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc with a lovely nose of tropical fruit aromas, like passionfruit, as well as a floral hint. This was a fresh, crisp, fruit-driven wine with zesty acidity and lots of personality.

Cono Sur Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc 2013

An interesting mixture of herbaceous and citrus aromas on the nose. On the palate, sherbert lemon flavours with that herbaceous note present again.

For more information about, check out my post: 7 Styles of Sauvignon Blanc.