Let’s start with the positives. Six of the 14 wines scoring 90 points or above here came from San Antonio or Leyda – regions that earned plaudits from this tasting. Judge Ben Gubbins also noted the ‘promise’ offered by Osorno in the south. In general, the diversity of origins in the top-scoring wines was notable in this tasting, with quality to be found from Atacama and Limarí in the north to Malleco and Osorno in the deep south. The latter regions tended to deliver understated aromas yet intense palate profiles, while Atacama and Limarí majored on peppery, almost saline characters and great vibrancy. The best Sauvignons from coastal terroirs such as Leyda, San Antonio, Casablanca and Aconcagua combined aromatic lift with structure and layers of flavour.
What didn’t find favour with judges were the bland styles of Sauvignon emanating from the Central Valley. ‘Why bother keeping on making Sauvignon in the Central Valley?!’ bemoaned Gubbins, while Dirceu Vianna Junior MW identified Curicó as a particular culprit in this regard.
Stylistically, the
