Morande Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021

On pouring, the 2021 shows a pale straw-yellow color with green highlights. The nose is herbal and bright: jalapeño or fresh green pepper leaf touches the citrus core, alongside lime zest, grapefruit, and a hint of jalapeño pepperiness. There are also floral or herbal backnotes—fresh herbs, rue maybe—and a subtle minerality in the background. On the palate the wine delivers sharp acidity, very clean and focused, the citrus flavors dominant (lime, grapefruit) with herbal flavors that lend lift. The texture has a bit of weight thanks to partial oak/foudre or cement egg influence, giving a slight richness without losing the lean freshness. The finish is crisp and lingering, with citrus and herbs fading last. It’s fresh enough to enjoy now, but shows signs it may gain nuance with 2-4 years of bottle age, particularly in its herbal, mineral, and oak-influenced dimensions.

This Sauvignon Blanc makes a great pairing for lighter, bright, and herbal dishes. Think oysters, clams, or mussels on the half shell—seafood whose salinity and brine will echo the wine’s mineral edge. Fresh goat cheese, chèvre or a herbed fromage blanc, lets the wine’s herbal notes stand in conversation with creamy tang. Vegetable preparations—grilled asparagus, sugar snap peas, or zucchini with fresh herbs—bring out its green and citrus tones. For meat, lighter white meats like grilled chicken with lemon and thyme shine; or seafood pastas in light oil or butter sauce, perhaps with parsley, garlic, and lemon. Also works beautifully with ceviche or scallops served simply, to preserve the wine’s vivacity. Serve chilled (≈ 8-10°C / 46-50°F) so that the acidity, aromatics, and minerality catch your attention.

Morandé is one of Chile’s producers that helped establish Casablanca Valley as a leading region for cool-climate whites. Founded in 1996 by Pablo Morandé, the winery was among the first to recognize the potential of Casablanca for aromatic, freshness-driven wines, including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The Gran Reserva line comes from their estate vineyard in “Lo Ovalle” sector in Casablanca, relatively close to the Pacific, benefitting from cooling ocean breezes and morning fog. These conditions produce a longer ripening cycle, allow grapes to preserve acidity, develop complexity, and express subtle minerality. The soils are clay-granitic, of modest fertility, which encourages concentration and slower growth. For the 2021 vintage, Morandé uses vineyard practices and winemaking choices (including partial oak / foudre or large wooden vats, cement eggs for some lots) that give texture and ageing capacity beyond most simple Sauvignon Blancs. Viticultural and climatic factors—cool nights, moderated daytime heat, proximity to the ocean—help the wine reflect both freshness and structure.

Casablanca Valley itself is a Denomination of Origin in Chile’s Valparaíso Region, notable for its maritime influence. Viticulture in Casablanca really grew in the 1980s and 1990s, once growers began installing trellising, selecting cooler sites, and experimenting with varieties suited to cooler climates. Today, its whites are praised for crisp acidity, aromatic intensity (herbs, citrus, green fruits), and mineral or saline nuances. Morandé’s Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 fits squarely in that lineage: built to be expressive, balanced, and capable of some cellaring rather than pure immediate drinking.