David Lawrason’s Weekly Wine Pick: a crisp Chilean sauvignon blanc to fight this heat wave
Errazuriz 2011 Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc
$15.95 | Aconcagua Valley | 90 points
For the past five years, Chile has been chasing New Zealand’s reputation for intense, pristine sauvignon blanc, largely by moving production closer to the Pacific Ocean, where cooler climes preserve acidity and fruit purity. This brilliant sauvignon—new at the LCBO—is sourced from a single, hillside vineyard near the mouth of the Aconcagua Valley, 12 kilometres from the sea.
The taste: This bottle pours silver-green. It has a bright nose of green apple and lime, with the back notes of green pepper and celery common to sauvignon. It’s medium weight and very smooth, with a juicy finish. Flavours stay right on the beam throughout and have excellent length.
How to drink it: This is balanced enough for great sipping, and priced well enough to serve to larger groups. Or take it onto the deck during this heat wave to wash down summer salads. Chill fairly well.
Better than Ontario sauvignon blancs at half the price. I