Equidistant from the high Andes and the Pacific, the vineyards of the Viña Requingua winery benefit from both influences. The cool marine air from the ocean allows slow, even ripening of the grapes. The meltwater from the snow-capped Andes tumbles seaward in the Lontué River - providing a source of irrigation water for Requingua's vineyards that rise from the Lontué plain to the foothills of the Coast Range mountains. This 2008 Viña Requingua Chardonnay is remarkably fresh and delicious with a fine balance of fruit and oak characteristics that many other winemakers would do well to emulate.
The bouquet is classic Chardonnay - rich with apple, pineapple, and buttery scents backed by hints of flowers, vanilla, honey and spice. On the palate, it is round and ripe with a lovely combination of ripe apple, pineapple, butter, vanilla and cream flavors. This enchanting ripeness is underlain by a marvelously refreshing acidity, giving the wine a delightfully gulpable quality. The wine exhibits a purity and focus generally found only in $12-15+ bottlings. This is truly a stellar Chardonnay bargain!