Wines of Coquimbo Chile and the Choapa Valley

Located in the north, slightly south of the Limari and Elqui Valleys, the Choapa Valley is located at the narrowest part of Chile.  Without a coastal range to seperate the two there is little distance between the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean and the snow capped Andes.  The vineyards and other agriculture of the region are completely dependent on irrigation.

The vineyards here were planted on the rocky piedmont soils and produce wines with a high acidy and low ph.  There are only 134 planted hectres in Choapa Valley is 100% dedicated to the production of red wine either Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.

If you trying wines from the Choapa Valley we suggest a De Martino Legado Reserva Syrah 2005 – 2008.  De Martino was featured on the cover of the September 2010 Wine Spetator Magazine and was only only 4 wines to make their Top 100 Wines for 2010.

“The Syrah — which is the only wine made in the Choapa Valley of Chile — is rated with 90 points and one of only four Chilean reds listed among the 125. In fact, of those 200 wines, only six are rated as high as 90 — and two of those are from De Martino! The other 90-point, “Top Value” from the winery is De Martino Legado Chardonnay, from the Limari Valley.”

Tasting Notes:  A smoky, restrained style, with mulled black currant and blackberry fruit sitting in reserve and mesquite, graphite and white pepper notes weaving in and out. The finish lets the smoky hint linger nicely. Drink now through 2011.

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