Tabali Talinay Chardonnay

This Talinay Chardonnay from Tabali Winery is a beauty. The grapes are grown in northern Chile in the Limarí Valley wine region. This region boasts a fantastic climate for producing top-quality Chardonnay wines. And it is truly magnificent! Aged for at least eleven months in oak, it is full-bodied and complex. The oak aging gives this Talinay Chardonnay considerable power and suppleness.

The beginning of Tabali winery

It all began in the early 1990s when Guillermo Luksic first saw potential in the Limari Valley. Previously, the climate here was thought to be too extreme for planting vineyards. A good wine, therefore, proved far-fetched. But Luksic planted his first vineyards here, and thus, in 2002, Tabali wines were born. Today, it is run by his son, Nicolás Luksic, who, with the same goal as his father, produces the typical Tabali wines. The Talinay vineyard is located twelve kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, where there is a constant, cool sea breeze. This results in much lower temperatures than in the rest of the valley, making it the vineyard with the coolest climate. In summer, temperatures do not exceed 23.5 degrees Celsius. These conditions allow the grapes to be harvested two to three weeks later. Also unique to Chile is the chalky nature of the soil, which promotes high tension. Harvest takes place in early March. After harvest, the grapes are fermented in French oak barriques of the finest provenance. Thirty percent of the wine is fermented on the skins, enhancing the flavor and extraction.

What does the Talinay Chardonnay Tabali taste like?

Ultimately, we have a beautiful Chardonnay with a broad bouquet of tropical fruit, lime, minerals, and a hint of aging. The palate is complex and full, with a very creamy texture. A lovely, long finish with notes of mango, peach, lime, and apples, complemented by toast, seaweed, and a hint of green herbs!