Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/776532
january/february 2017 / the tasting panel / 127 Viña Casablanca 2014 Neblus Syrah, Casablanca Valley, Chile ($50) Hailed as "the winery of the valley," Viña Casablanca was among the first wineries to be established in the unique terroir of its namesake valley, within the broader Aconcagua region, just west of the capital city of Santiago, Chile. The winemaking potential of the valley only started to be tapped in the late 1980s. Until then, Chile had been devoted to and recognized for the production of its Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley (which is inland) and Carmenère, the grape that would become its signature variety. The discovery of the Casablanca Valley allowed Chile to start produc- ing cool-climate varieties of remarkable quality, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as amazing Syrah. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows the valley to benefit from a cold sea breeze and morning fogs that help curb temperatures, thus favor- ing long ripening periods that are essential for the outstanding flavor development in these varieties. Viña Casablanca was established in the valley in 1991. The first 55 hectares were planted in soil that had never been used to grow vines, and the first wines were released in 1994. In 2010, Viña Casablanca undertook a new endeavor, a plantation on the steep slopes of the Nimbus Estate hills, from which the two icon wines of the winery are sourced: Neblus, a cool-climate Syrah, and Pinot del Cerro, recently launched with the aim of becoming the best Pinot Noir in Chile. A joint venture signed in 2011 with Domaine Laroche from Chablis allowed the winery to start its own winemaking operation in the Casablanca Valley—a huge advantage, as only a few wineries own winemaking facilities there. Viña Casablanca currently exports to 24 countries and the flagship wines in the U.S. are Nimbus Sauvignon Blanc and Nimbus Pinot Noir, both proudly represented in California by Classic Wines of California. These are Casablanca award-winning, single-vineyard wines conceived for foodies and wine lovers who appreciate the authentic spirit of the winery's cool coastal climate style and enjoy pairing wine with farm-to- table dishes. The first vintage of Neblus, a blend sourced from the gentle slopes of our Nimbus Estate, was launched in 2000. The 2014 vintage resulted in only 3,000 bottles of 100% Syrah from the highest part of the vineyard. CAROLINA WINE BRANDS USA MOST REGAL PHOTO COURTESY OF VIÑA CASABLANCA Dark, dense and loaded with spice and ripe, juicy berry fruit; silky and balanced with concentrated flavors and fine balance; long and impres- sive. 93 —Anthony Dias Blue, Blue Reviews, December 2016