Aristos Duquesa Chardonnay 2012

Category:
 
White Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
White Wines
Producer:
 
Aristos
Label Name:
 
Duquesa Chardonnay
Vintage:
 
2012
Country:
 
Chile
Region:
 
Alto Cachapoal / Cachapoal Valley (Andean foothills)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
Chardonnay (100%)
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
10-12°C

Awards/Ratings
Highly rated by international critics and competitions. Reported scores include James Suckling ~95 (top vintages), The Wine Advocate/Robert Parker ~94–96 (high marks for Duquesa vintages), Decanter 95 (2010 review of Duquesa d’A)

Tasting Note
Ripe tree and stone fruit (pear, apricot), citrus peel, toasted almond, butter and subtle vanilla; pronounced minerality and bright acidity with a rich, Meursault‑like, creamy midpalate and long, saline finish.

Food Pairing
Roast chicken or turkey, creamy mushroom risotto, lobster/creamed shellfish, pork loin with herbs; Asian: miso‑glazed black cod, salmon sushi/aburi, tempura, Cantonese roasted duck.

Production Method
Hand‑harvested, massal‑selection Chardonnay; complete malolactic fermentation; fermented and aged ~24 months in French oak (mix of new, 2nd and 3rd‑use barrels); bottled after extended élevage.

Vineyard Info
Aristos is a boutique Chilean project led by François Massoc (Burgundy-trained) in collaboration with Burgundian partners; vineyards planted on colluvial, rocky soils at ~1,000 m altitude; small production focused on high‑quality Chardonnay.