Second review: May 2022
Golden-hued and doused with gorgeous notes of young pineapple and Meyer lemons and orange blossoms supported by brown butter, hazelnut ans toasted spice aromas. It has a slick and tangy palate with fresh golden fruit, marzipan, grilled lemon and buttered toast flavours. Lovely balance here and deft use of oak.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 26th, 2022

Crunchy, creamy, fresh.
Vina Chocalan's 2019 Gran Reserva Chardonnay comes from the Chile's cool-climate darling, the San Antonio Valley, which is situated almost due west of Santiago, on the Pacific Ocean.
Its thin and rocky soils, sloped terrain and proximity to cool maritime influences makes it perfect for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Chocalan owns 25-hectares in the valley, the clay soils with fossilized shells this Chardonnay is grown in gives it mouthfilling and mineral characters. 
2019 was a very warm summer, but this fresh Chardonnay is nicely balanced; 40% was aged on lees in French oak barrels for six months, 10% went through ML.

Crisp yellow fruit aromas are layered with grass clippings, beeswax, citrus blossoms and a hint of jalapeno. It has a creamy entry but overall screams freshness with juicy citrus, crunchy tree fruits and distinct salty undertones, which beg for seafood, salty snacks or simple creamy pastas.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 25th, 2021

Harmonious, fresh, plush.
A Maipo blend of mostly Cabernet and Syrah, along with Cab Franc, Malbec, Carmenere and Petit Verdot. this plush red dives in with no holds barred. Intense black cherry, raspberry, vanilla liqueur and chocolate are muddled with fresh mint and salted caramel. It has a chalky texture and inky character laden with expressive fruit. Harmonious and supple it also boasts notable freshness.
*Not currently available in BC.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 28th, 2021

Silky, intense, classic.
Vina Chocalan is a stunning, sprawling and modern family owned winery located in the Maipo Valley, it rests 35-kilometers from the Pacific and is home to the vast majority of their production. A second estate vineyard site in the San Antonio Valley, a cool climate valley, is perfect for their premium white wines and Pinot Noir.
Outstanding value for price, this intense but well-balanced red delivers aromas of black currents and vanilla, plum, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, cedar chips and saddle leather. It has a fresh and silky entry with bold flavours of smoked spices, black fruit, dark chocolate, dark earth and toasted oak. Mocha tannins trail on the finish.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 19th, 2022

Smooth, intense, generous.
Outstanding value for price, this powerful but well-balanced red delivers aromas of black currents and vanilla, licorice, leather, tobacco and spice rub. The palate is supple, it has generosity of black fruit along with savoury spice, bay leave and mocha. It has a liqueur-like intensity and long smooth finish.
©copyright 2020 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 10th, 2020

Fresh, intense, approachable.
Vina Chocalan is a stunning, sprawling and modern family owned winery located in the Maipo Valley, it rests 35-kilometers from the Pacific and is home to the vast majority of their production. A second estate vineyard site in the San Antonio Valley, a cool climate valley, is perfect for their premium white wines and Pinot Noir.
Offering good value for price, this intense but balanced red delivers aromas of chocolate and baking spices, vanilla, licorice, black cherry and raspberry, leather and hints of toasted nuts. It's supple on the palate with generous black fruit, star anise and cocoa flavours. It's also fresh, approachable and good length.
©copyright 2024 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 19th, 2024