Sauvignon Blanc, 'Cariblanco'

Varietal Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Vine Age: 20 years
Production: 360 cases
Elevage: 7 months in French oak & stainless steel barrels
ABV: 13.5%

“If one of the criteria for measuring the quality of a terroir and its varieties is that the wine must taste like it could not have come from anywhere else, then Casablanca is indeed a good terroir for Sauvignon Blanc. Nowhere does Sauvignon Blanc combine raciness, concentration, herbal notes and richness in quite the same way as in Casablanca. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better than elsewhere; only that it is distinctive and characterful. Inimitable.

The last few years we have been tweaking our Sauvignon Blanc methods, but the core remains the same. We destem a larger portion of the fruit prior to pressing than we used to, to get a touch more extraction from the skins and pulp, and therefore more flavor. I continue to encourage our team to allow some of the barrels to ferment naturally, without any added yeast. The use of stainless steel barrels and longer than usual (for Chile) aging on the primary lees are also to build more body and character. The idea is to give it more of what it already has, rather than adding flavors external to the grapes.” –Byron Kosuge, Consulting Winemaker