2016 Calyptra Vivendo Cachapoal Valley Chardonnay Reserve

Cachapoal is located northern half of the very well-known Rapel Valley, between Maipo and Colchagua. Over the years, this region became mistakenly overlooked by its more famous neighbors, but recently, this wine region has recently reawakened the interest of some of the most acclaimed wine critics in the world.

Decanter magazine said: “At present, the marketplace is seeing Chilean wine undergo an exhilarating transition from good-value everyday wine to something more diverse and quality-orientated. In the same vein, Cachapoal is finally starting to shed its apathy and aiming to put its name up there with Chile’s best wine regions.”

This first-class wine region is home to Calyptra, a family-owned boutique winery founded by Dr. José Zarhi, a very successful plastic surgeon who purchased the 150-acre estate in 1989.

The 100-acre vineyard is placed on terraces between the pre-Andean range and the Cachapoal river, at nearly 1000 meters altitude. The vines thrive in calcareous and colluvial alluvial terraces. The vineyard is managed under sustainable and organic practices.

Calyptra's philosophy is simple: “To produce unique, authentic, honest wines that reflect the soil, the origin, and the dedication and passion.” They overachieve this mantra by delivering premium wines, that will enchant any wine lover or wine critic. Just to give you an idea of the excellent quality that this winery delivers, these wines have been featured on James Suckling’s “Top Chilean Wines” on several occasions.  

This amazing Chardonnay Reserve is a fresh wine, with good volume and rich acidity that adds a juicy sensation. Long persistence with a floral aftertaste and a great final balance. A fresh, powerful, and vibrant Chardonnay.

"2016 seems to be a very good year at Calyptra for the whites." ~Robert Parker.

Aging: The wine is aged over its lees in stainless steel tanks for 6 months.

100% Chardonnay. The nose displays aromas of fresh tropical fruit like mango and pineapple, together with hints of white blossom and honey. In the mouth, this is a fresh and fruity wine with good volume and healthy acidity that adds a sensation of juiciness. A deft touch of oak and this wine finished more like a premier cru white burgundy at $50+. The finish is long and well-balanced with a  floral aftertaste. A fresh, powerful, and vibrant Chardonnay.

2016 seems to be a very good year at Calyptra for the whites and the early-ripening reds like Pinot Noir. The 2016 Chardonnay Gran Reserva is vibrant and fresh, a textbook example of barrel-fermented Chardonnay from a perfect year when the wine shows great transparency and natural acidity. It's elegant and subtle, with the natural power of the zone, good weight and perfectly ripe fruit. This could be a great ringer in a blind tasting of white Burgundy. This is the best Chardonnay from Calyptra I have tasted. 3,150 bottles were filled in January 2018. ~94 Robert Parker.  

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