Andes Plateau Cota 500 Chardonnay 2022

Maule Valley, Chile

Vinous 92 points! Wine Advocate 92 points!

Andes Plateau Cota 500 Chardonnay is a beautiful mountain Chardonnay from the Maule Valley of Chile. Andes Plateau in the Maule valley of Chile is a family winery centered on their passion for mountain wines! The husband-and-wife team of Felipe Uribe and Maite Hojas had their first harvest in 2012. Maite worked as a winemaker for Santa Helena. Felipe has worked in Chile for several top wineries including Santa Helena, De Martino, Miravalle and William Fevre in the Maipo. He has also worked in the US at La Crema in Sonoma Valley. It was at William Fevre that Felipe fell in love with the vineyards in the Andes mountains and the distinctive wines that this rugged and extreme terroir can produce. So when he and Maite decided to take the plunge to start their own winery, it had to be in the mountains. Few, in Chile, risk working in the mountains because of the frost…but Felipe and Maite clearly believe the reward outweighs the risk.

The Andes Plateau vineyards are at an average of 560 meters elevation in the Maule up against the Andes mountains. The Chardonnay is planted above 500 meters in elevation. The yield is 1.8 kg/plant. The vines are 20 + years old, set in alluvial soil transported by the local rivers so it contains gravel, sand and silt. Practicing organic and all work is done by hand. Whole cluster fermentation without SO2. Native yeasts used and the lees maintained. Depending on the vintage the wine will age in used French barrels (500L) for no more than 6 months.

“The 2022 Chardonnay Cota 500 hails from the Maule Andes and was fermented cloudy. A pale yellow in hue, the nose presents notes of pear and linden-blossom with hints of citrus. In the mouth it’s mildly fatty with malic grip and moderate, slightly concentrated tension before the lime-infused finish.”—Vinous, 92 points!

Enjoy Andes Plateau Cota 500 Chardonnay over the next 6-8 years with grilled salmon, roast chicken, ricotta ravioli, rich vegetable dishes and aged cheeses.