Therefore, think of it this way:

The nose ($7.50): Melon (which is what screams “sauv. blanc”), lemon and a hint of vanilla. It smells bright and crisp, but hints at being a medium-weight wine.

The palate ($7.50): Tropical fruit, sweet apple, pear and no melon. A good dose of vanillin oak and a big, rich mouthfeel.

The finish (Free): Loooooong -- like Chile itself (look at a map). Tropical fruit flavors hang in there until your next sip of wine cuts them off.

If your local wine shop offers a good discount on case purchases, bring six bottles of this chardonnay up to the counter, along with a copy of this review. Explain to them that it’s really like buying 12 bottles, and thus you should get the per-case price.

Then, write to Wilder on Wine and let us know if that works. Include the name of that wine shop, too. We’ll need to start frequenting the place.

Cheers,
TSW

2003 may go down as the year Argentina surpassed Chile as the best value-wine producer in the Western Hemisphere. However, the top Chilean houses are still making better wine. In particular, Montes is making absolutely killer wine, and while not always a steal, it’s usually cheaper than other bottles at its level of quality.

This chardonnay is a great example of that. At $15, it’s not what I would consider dirt cheap, but is still a great deal at that price.

And actually, it may be an even better deal. This white is a bit like getting two wines for the price of one. The nose screams “oaked sauvignon blanc,” while the tastes that come through are all chard!

A wine like this could save you some cash at the next dinner party you throw. One bottle can satisfy two different palates, allowing you to open one-less white wine.