One of the newer winemaking families in Chile is the Toro family located in the Maipo and the San Antonio Valley. They bought their first vineyard in 1998 and made their first wine in 2001 under the label Viña Chocalán. Chocalán is the indigenous word for the yellow blossoms from a shrub that blooms in the area. I received two bottles of their wine to review for you. I have the Viña Chocalán Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020. Both wines are Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile. These wines are easy to enjoy on the patio with assorted cheeses, salads, grilled fish and meat.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Viña Chocalán Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (BC $16.49)
Appearance: It has a clear, bright, deep mix of lemon and gold colours in the glass.
Nose: Medium-plus intensity, deep ripe tropical fruit aromas, toastiness, oak and a touch of matchstick or tar. No changes to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry, fruity, medium-plus body, semi-round, and almost mouth-filling. Pronounced flavours of tropical fruit and crisp apple, along with toast and minerality. Medium acidity leaves a light prickle in your mouth. The wine has a little lighter mouthfeel and gets a little softer and smoother after decanting. The fruit flavours are also a touch lighter and I pick up a hint of oak.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with citrus flavours, minerality and light pepperiness. Add pineapple to the citrus fruit flavours on the finish after decanting, and lessen the mineral component.
A light and fresh wine with bright fruit flavour and acidity. Decanting loses some brightness and flavour intensity, so drink as soon as you open the bottle.
Rating: 
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This wine has a clear, bright mix of lemon and gold colours. Deep ripe tropical fruit aromas, toastiness, oak and a touch of matchstick or tar. It is dry, fruity, medium-plus body and roundish. Pronounced tropical fruit and crisp apple flavours, with touches of toast and minerality. Medium acidity leaves a prickle in your mouth. Medium-plus length.
Viña Chocalán Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (BC $18.49)
This wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts and 80% of the wines is then aged in French oak barrels for 10-12 months to allow for rounder tannins.
Appearance: This wine has a deep dull garnet colour. About 90% opaque.
Nose: Medium-minus intensity aromas with a mix of red and black fruits, plum and raspberries, along with touches of toastiness and black pepper. With decanting the aromas become a little lighter and you can add a cedar note.
Palate: Dryish, medium body, with a smoother, round, soft mouthfeel. Lower acidity and light tannins. A mix of red and black fruit, plums, red cherries and a touch of earthiness. No change to the flavours, tannins or acidity after decanting.
Finish: A medium-plus length finishing with red and black fruit, a touch of oak and pepperiness. Light tannins till the end. No change after decanting.
Subtle fruit flavours for this Cabernet Sauvignon. No change after decanting, so enjoy at your leisure.
Rating: This Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep, dull garnet colour. Medium-minus intensity aromas with a mix of red and black fruits along with touches of toastiness and black pepper. It is dryish, medium body with a smooth mouthfeel. A mix of red and black fruit flavours plus a touch of earthiness. Medium-plus length.
Where Can I Buy These Wines?
Both wines are exclusively available in BC through BC Liquor Stores.
