The nose of the 2014 Chardonnay Legado Reserva reminded me of the character of the Single Vineyard , it has similar freshness and mineral character. The palate is fresh and vibrant, and leaves a salty taste on your lips. For this price, the quality is very high.

Smoke-accented aromas of poached pear and orange pith, with a peppery note adding lift. Chewy and a touch dry on the palate, offering zesty orchard and citrus fruit flavors that show a slightly hard edge. Finishes taut and spicy, with bitter pear skin and quince qualities.

Ripe peach and honeydew on the deeply perfumed nose. Plush and open-knit, offering spice-accented citrus zest and melon flavors that become sweeter with air. Closes smooth and gently smoky, with repeating spiciness and good length.

Fleshy and borderline mealy on the nose, with banana and melon as the primary aromas, this feels heavy even though firm acidity creates spine and depth. It tastes like a mash-up of apple, melon and baking spice before the chunky finish.

A rich style, with plenty of dried herbal and honeysuckle accents to the ripe apple and pear flavors. The fresh finish of tarragon and anise imparts good lift. Drink now through 2017.

This features a strong wild herb and saline influence to the green apple and ripe lime flavors. Vibrant acidity speeds into the rich, smoky finish. Drink now through 2017.

Delivers smoke, butterscotch, apple brulee and pineapple notes on a round frame. Rich, with enough acidity to prop up the finish.

The 2010 Legado Chardonnay Reserve is aged in French oak for 11 months. It has a light hazelnut scented bouquet with a touch of wild mushroom. The palate is medium-bodied with a beeswax and spice infused entry, crisp acidity and a phenolic, slightly over-worked but still intriguing finish of dried pineapple and honeycomb. Drink now-2015.

Bright yellow-gold. Peach nectar and poached pear on the nose, with a subtle melon note coming up with air. Fleshy and a touch sweet, displaying velvety orchard fruit and honeydew flavors and gentle finishing lift. A hint of bitter lemon zest adds welcome bite to this borderline fruit bomb’s clinging finish. This would work well with spicy Asian food.

The wine was 100% barrel-fermented and aged for 11 months in a mix of new and used French oak. The fruit was sourced from the Quebrada Vineyard planted on limestone in Limari very close to the Pacific Ocean, another indicator of how grape growers are taking advantage finally of Chile’s diverse terroirs. Notions of spiced apple, poached pear, buttered popcorn, and baking spices set the stage for a round, savory, nicely balanced Chardonnay that could have used a bit more concentration. Drink this excellent value over the next 3-4 years.

A nicely ripe, yet very fresh white, with a taut star fruit frame to the core of green plum, Jonagold apple and heather notes. The long, racy finish has ample fruit in reserve. Drink now through 2012.

De Martino’s Legado line highlights the terroir of various regions. The lovely Limari Valley Chardonnay displays star fruit, apple and pear flavors underlined by chalky minerals and vibrant acidity.

Light, bright gold.  Pungent aromas of peach, lemon rind and oak spices.  A gently sweet midweight that offers slightly hard-edged citrus and pit fruit flavors with a peppery quality on the back half; at once plump and dry.  Finishes slightly abrupt but with good grip.

Composed and showing no overwrought oak or tropical fruit aromas that so often plague Chilean Chardonnay. A smooth operator, with toasty apple and mineral aromas leading to a ripe but cleansing palate and finish. This is like winemaker Marcelo Retamal’s favorite child; with proper guidance it is growing better every year. Best overall Chardonnay to date from Limarí.

Ripe and fleshy, but pure and focused, with gorgeous Jonagold apple, quince, chamomile and sweetened butter notes that stay lively on the full-bodied finish. A fresh apple note lingers nicely. Drink now.