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Wine Reviews: Concha y Toro > Amelia

Amelia Chardonnay is the greatest expression of the winemaker's art in crafting a Chardonnay that competes with the finest of Europe and America.

AMELIA
Vineyard: El Triangulo, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Production Technique: The grapes are manually harvested in April, and after 100% barrel fermentation, then wine is aged eleven months in 100% French oak barriques.
Description: Color: Light yellow with green hues.
Bouquet: Very complex, smoke, mineral and honey tones.
Taste: Concentrated and long in the mouth, fruits such as ripe pear and figs. Good balance, fresh acidity, savvy and persistent.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 6.2 g/l

The Casablanca Valley is the newfound territory for the production of fine wines, especially for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The valley's most prestigious product is Amelia, which comes from the best selection of barriques which accentuate the essence and complexity of the fruit from this valley. The wine is aged eleven months in French oak barriques. The result is a wine with complex flavors and aromas, yet with an elegance reminiscent of French Chardonnays.
Amelia has a deep, pale greenish-yellow color. The wine is complex and highly mineral with elegant hints of smoke and honey. On the palate, hints of tropical fruit harmoniously blend in with the oak. A wine with personality and a long, complex, integrated finish.

Amelia Chardonnay is a delightful accompaniment to fresh seasoned fish and foods with strong character

Reviews

Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2006

Stylish but persistent, with apple, pear, and mineral notes that race along a bright, fresh frame. Solid length. 89 Points.
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - August, 2008

Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2005

...has a classy perfume of minerals, apples, spiced pears, and a hint of tropical fruits in the background. This is followed by a wine with excellent depth and length, concentrated flavors, and a pure finish. 90
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - Issue 171 - June, 2007

"Grapes from El Triángulo vineyard in Casablanca... Made from 100% handpicked grapes, fermented in stainless and aged in French oak barriques. Good structure with slightly elevated acidity. Tropical notes, hints of oak, slightly salty on the finish."
Manos Angelakis - LuxuryWeb.com - February, 2007

Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2004

"Bold melon and pear aromas to begin with, and alongside that there's a touch of toasted corn. Sweet enough to please, with pear and vanilla leading the flavor parade. Plump and smooth on the finish, with a sweet coconutty aftertaste." 88
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2006

"This Chardonnay wraps around the tongue like a warm hug, its creamy, ripe peach flavor the result of a hot year in Casablanca. On the finish, an herbal note adds complexity, while sharp acidity balances the richness. Serve it with pasta in a shrimp sauce." 89
Wine & Spirits - February, 2006

"Nice creamy texture, with apple, fig, floral and mineral notes unencumbered by toast. Just a touch soft in the end, but still very stylish. A shade less concentrated than previous vintages. Drink now." 89
Wine Spectator - February, 2006

Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2003

"Ripe pineapple, banana, vanilla and sweet oak aromas. An Abundance of tropical fruit flavors including mango, pineapple, peach and banana. Clove and brown spices add to the exotic finish." 92
Wine News - May, 2006

"Smoky rich aroma with tropical fruits, minerals and oak. Palate was complex, with traditional Chardonnay flavors of pears and peaches plus figs."
Frank & Kate Sutherland - The Tennessean - March, 2006

"Fine Chardonnay, in a rich yet restrained style. It is full bodied, supple, crisp, and long on the palate, and tastes of roasted nut, pear, baked apple, lemon peel, and butterscotch." ***
Ronn Weigand - Restaurant Wine - January, 2006

"This focused, elegant Chardonnay is made from grapes grown in one of the coldest parts of the Casablanca Valley."
Connie McCabe - Food & Wine - November, 2005

"One of Chile's highest-priced Chardonnays kicks off with ripe, creamy aromas of buttered corn along with baked apple and pear. Banana bread complete with walnuts and white raisins takes over on the palate, while a resiny, vanilla-dominated finish closes the show. Very good for Chilean Chardonnay, but undeniably fat and chewy in the grand scheme of things." 88
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2005

"Starts slowly, with mineral and floral notes, but shows deep pear and fig fruit as it moves along. Fine acidity really stretches it out, too. Long and elegant, this should age nicely in the short term. Drink now through 2006." 90
Wine Spectator - June, 2005

"Bright yellow; aromas of baked apples, pear and magnolias. Medium-full, good concentration; lengthy finish with wonderful persistence of fruit and beautifully integrated oak; great finesse and balance; enjoy over the next two to three years."
Tom Hyland - Quarterly Review Of Wines

"Shimmering gold hue. Buttery aromas with a defined grilled pineapple note. Full and creamy with peach, apple and vanilla flavors. Lengthy finish with nectar-like texture and toasted oak character." 91
Wine News - April, 2005

"More than just another ripe Chardonnay, this shows a tense acidity all the way through; ripe peach flavor in the middle fills out the sweetness of the alcohol. A solid white from a warm vintage in Casablanca, pour it with skate in a cream sauce."
Wine & Spirits - February, 2005

Amelia

CONCHA Y TORO
Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Amelia 2005

A bolder style, with apple, brioche and fig aromas and flavors that ride along a ripe, creamy texture. There's good acidity buried here, which stretches out the finish nicely. Drink now through 2009. 5,400 cases made. –JM

Score: 90
Release Price: $35
Country: Chile
Region: Aconcagua
Issue: Aug 31, 2007

www.winespectator.com

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CONCHA Y TORO
Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Amelia 2006

Stylish but persistent, with apple, pear and mineral notes that race along a bright, fresh frame. Solid length. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases made. –JM

Score: 89
Release Price: $33
Country: Chile
Region: Aconcagua
Issue: Aug 31, 2008

www.winespectator.com
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