100% Pedro Ximenez from Elqui Valley, Chile.
Sample submitted for review. SRP of $15 and available for as low as $12. 500 cases imported by Vine Connections. See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
From the bottle:
"In the northern edge of Chile lies the Elqui Valley, a place of bright days and cold nights. It's perfect for growing grapes and gazing at what the Incas called Mayu -- the river of stars in the Milky Way. For this reason, you will see eight observatories here, all studying the heavens.
A stylish white wine, with appealing aromas of lemon and lime, balanced by fresh acidity. Long finish and mineral character makes this an excellent match for shellfish and seafood.
12.5% Alcohol"
The Elqui Valley is one of the newest regions for producing wine in Chile. In fact Vina Mayu, which was started in 2005, was the first winery in the valley. How then does today's wine come from 70 year old vines when the winery is so much younger?
It's simple really -- the Elqui Valley has long been known for producing the best grapes for Pisco. Pisco is a type of grape brandy made in Peru and Chile. One of the primary grapes they use is Pedro Ximenez. (This variety is also planted in Spain where it is used in sherry.)
In researching this new to me grape I read that it is generally considered not to be suitable for table wines due to a lack of acidity. Whether that is overcome by the unique conditions of the Elqui Valley, the age of vines, or something else altogether I don't know, but I do know that there was no evidence of a lack of acidity in today's wine.
The 2012 Vina Mayu Pedro Ximenez begins with pleasant aromas of citrus, lime and a streak of almost fresh smelling minerals (if it's possible for minerals to smell fresh). The wine tastes really delicious with similar flavors to the nose and features a fresh, bright and lively mouthfeel with some nice underlying minerality. It ends crisp and tasty with the citrus turning tart and that fresh minerality continuing. A refreshingly refreshing wine that is just a delight to drink!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Overall Rating: 7.8
