Casa Bollén Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2021
White wine, cool-climate and crisp dry style. · Casa Bollén is a modern Chilean brand focused on expressing the cooler climate coastal regions of Chile. Owned by the large-scale and reputable Morandé Wine Group, the producer is known for high-value wines that emphasize varietal purity and freshness. They sit in the reliable, entry-to-mid-tier boutique category.
Vintage: 2021. This was a relatively cool and late-harvest year in Chile, specifically in the coastal regions. This provided excellent conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, allowing for high natural acidity and intense aromatic development.
Type
White wine, cool-climate and crisp dry style.
Producer
Casa Bollén is a modern Chilean brand focused on expressing the cooler climate coastal regions of Chile. Owned by the large-scale and reputable Morandé Wine Group, the producer is known for high-value wines that emphasize varietal purity and freshness. They sit in the reliable, entry-to-mid-tier boutique category.
Country
Chile. Chile is a major New World wine producer characterized by a lack of phylloxera and diverse topography. It is increasingly globally significant for its high-quality coastal whites and mountain reds.
Vintage
2021. This was a relatively cool and late-harvest year in Chile, specifically in the coastal regions. This provided excellent conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, allowing for high natural acidity and intense aromatic development.
Region & Appellation
Leyda Valley (Valle de Leyda), Aconcagua Region. Leyda is a sub-region of the San Antonio Valley, widely considered one of Chile's premier areas for cool-climate viticulture due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
Grape Varieties
100% Sauvignon Blanc. In Leyda, this variety expresses intense saline minerality and herbal notes rather than the tropical notes seen in warmer valleys.
Color & Appearance
Pale straw with silver and green highlights. Clear and bright with low viscosity, indicating a fresh, unoaked style.
Aroma Profile
Pronounced and aromatic with a nose of lime zest, green apple, fresh-cut grass, and a distinct maritime salinity. There are secondary notes of white flowers and a touch of jalapeño or green bell pepper.
Tasting Notes
The palate is vibrant and electric. It opens with bracing acidity followed by citrus and stone fruit flavors. The mid-palate is lean but flavorful, leading into a long, crisp finish characterized by a mineral, salty tang.
Flavor Profile
Dominant flavors of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, lime juice, and tomato leaf. There is a layer of wet stone and oyster shell on the finish.
Body & Texture
Light-to-medium bodied with a zesty, crisp, and slightly watery texture that refreshes the palate.
Acidity & Tannins
High, racy acidity that is well-integrated and provides great structure. No tannins are present as this is a white wine with minimal skin contact.
Sweetness Level
Dry (typically less than 2 g/L residual sugar), balanced by high acidity to feel bone-dry on the palate.
Alcohol Content
12.5% to 13.5% ABV. The alcohol is well-balanced and does not overwhelm the delicate aromatics.
Aging & Oak
Unoaked. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures to preserve the primary fruit aromatics and the crispness of the variety.
Food Pairings
Fresh ceviche, oysters, goat cheese salads, grilled white fish with lemon, and asparagus dishes. Its high acidity cuts through oily or fried seafood perfectly.
Serving Suggestions
Chill to 8-10°C (46-50°F). Serve in a standard U-shaped white wine glass. No decanting required. Best consumed within 1-2 years of the vintage.
Price Range
$12 - $18 USD. It is considered an excellent value wine.
Quality Assessment
88-90 points. A solid, premium-tier Reserva that punched above its weight, showcasing why Leyda is a top-tier Chilean appellation.
Production Methods
Mechanical harvest at night to maintain cool temperatures, cold settling of the juice, and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Long, slow fermentation to maximize thiol (aromatic) expression.
Terroir
Soil is primarily granitic with a thin layer of clay. Located only 8-12km from the Pacific, it benefits from coastal morning fogs and cooling breezes that slow the ripening process.
History & Heritage
Casa Bollén is named after the Bollén tree, native to central Chile. The brand was developed to capture the 'new' Chile—moving away from heavy reds and toward fresh, terroir-driven whites.
Interesting Facts
The Leyda Valley didn't produce wine until the late 1990s because of a lack of water; a 19Km pipeline from the Maipo River finally allowed vines to be planted in this cool, coastal paradise.
Cellaring Potential
Low. Designed for immediate consumption to enjoy its vibrant acidity. Drink now through 2024.
Similar Wines
Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough (New Zealand), Sancerre (Loire, France), or Elgin (South Africa).