The Medalla Real line, launched in 1983, has become an iconic series in the Santa Rita portfolio. It gained global recognition when Cabernet Sauvignon won the 1987 Paris Wine Olympics. It is a series of well-crafted wines that utilize Chile's most classic grape varieties: Chardonnay and Syrah from Limarí, Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo, and Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Leyda.
In the morning, a blanket of fog appears over the vineyards. As the temperature begins to rise, this blanket disappears, but the vineyards remain cool thanks to a sea breeze from the Pacific Ocean. These are perfect conditions for the Chardonnay grape. The vineyards were planted in 1997 and proved ideal with their old alluvial terraces. The loamy clay soils give the grapes their unique characteristics.
When the Chardonnay grapes are optimally ripe, they are harvested early in the morning. Almost immediately afterward, they are transported in boxes to the winery. Here, a rigorous selection process follows, after which the grapes are pressed. The resulting juice is cold-decanted for 12 hours and then the coarse lees are removed. Fermentation then follows, which takes place in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then transferred to oak barrels where fermentation is completed. Once this process is complete, the wine remains in French oak barrels for a further 10 months.
But the long wait is more than rewarded. A clear white wine with a golden yellow color appears in the glass. We can immediately savor an intense and complex bouquet. Notes of light citrus, nectarines, and, of course, flowers. On the palate, it's a soft wine with beautiful balance. Deliciously fruity, but the refreshing acidity is especially striking.
