2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1997
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2007
Contains a small amount of fruit from the cold-climate Limari region. It reveals an outstanding perfume of smoke, mineral, poached pear, vanilla, butterscotch and hazelnut. On the palate, it has a smooth texture, ripe fruit an elegant personality, and a pure, lengthy finish. It might surprise a few Burgundy fans in a blind tasting. 91 Points.
Dr. Jay S. Miller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - April, 2009
Rich, candied, nutty and moderately sweet, witha bit of popcorn, baked apple and banana on the nose. In the mouth, it's more citrussy and forward, with juicy, acid-based flavors of apple and a full allotment of spice to add complexity. This vintage finds the right blend of ripeness and oak.89 Points.
WIne Enthusiast - August, 2009
89 points
Josh Raynolds - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2006
Stylish but persistent, with apple, pear, and mineral notes that race along a bright, fresh frame. Solid length. 89 Points.
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator - August, 2008
Light yellow-gold. A complex bouquet displays peach, pear, cantaloupe and tarragon. Tangy, tightly focused citrus and orchard fruit flavors stain the palate. picking up smoky mineral and floral character with air. Leaves refreshing orange peel and mineral notes behind on the long, spicy finish. 90 Points.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - March, 2009
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2005
...has a classy perfume of minerals, apples, spiced pears, and a hint of tropical fruits in the background. This is followed by a wine with excellent depth and length, concentrated flavors, and a pure finish. 90
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate - Issue 171 - June, 2007
"Grapes from El Triángulo vineyard in Casablanca... Made from 100% handpicked grapes, fermented in stainless and aged in French oak barriques. Good structure with slightly elevated acidity. Tropical notes, hints of oak, slightly salty on the finish."
Manos Angelakis - LuxuryWeb.com - February, 2007
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2004
"Bold melon and pear aromas to begin with, and alongside that there's a touch of toasted corn. Sweet enough to please, with pear and vanilla leading the flavor parade. Plump and smooth on the finish, with a sweet coconutty aftertaste." 88
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2006
"This Chardonnay wraps around the tongue like a warm hug, its creamy, ripe peach flavor the result of a hot year in Casablanca. On the finish, an herbal note adds complexity, while sharp acidity balances the richness. Serve it with pasta in a shrimp sauce." 89
Wine & Spirits - February, 2006
"Nice creamy texture, with apple, fig, floral and mineral notes unencumbered by toast. Just a touch soft in the end, but still very stylish. A shade less concentrated than previous vintages. Drink now." 89
Wine Spectator - February, 2006
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2003
"Ripe pineapple, banana, vanilla and sweet oak aromas. An Abundance of tropical fruit flavors including mango, pineapple, peach and banana. Clove and brown spices add to the exotic finish." 92
Wine News - May, 2006
"Smoky rich aroma with tropical fruits, minerals and oak. Palate was complex, with traditional Chardonnay flavors of pears and peaches plus figs."
Frank & Kate Sutherland - The Tennessean - March, 2006
"Fine Chardonnay, in a rich yet restrained style. It is full bodied, supple, crisp, and long on the palate, and tastes of roasted nut, pear, baked apple, lemon peel, and butterscotch." ***
Ronn Weigand - Restaurant Wine - January, 2006
"This focused, elegant Chardonnay is made from grapes grown in one of the coldest parts of the Casablanca Valley."
Connie McCabe - Food & Wine - November, 2005
"One of Chile's highest-priced Chardonnays kicks off with ripe, creamy aromas of buttered corn along with baked apple and pear. Banana bread complete with walnuts and white raisins takes over on the palate, while a resiny, vanilla-dominated finish closes the show. Very good for Chilean Chardonnay, but undeniably fat and chewy in the grand scheme of things." 88
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2005
"Starts slowly, with mineral and floral notes, but shows deep pear and fig fruit as it moves along. Fine acidity really stretches it out, too. Long and elegant, this should age nicely in the short term. Drink now through 2006." 90
Wine Spectator - June, 2005
"Bright yellow; aromas of baked apples, pear and magnolias. Medium-full, good concentration; lengthy finish with wonderful persistence of fruit and beautifully integrated oak; great finesse and balance; enjoy over the next two to three years."
Tom Hyland - Quarterly Review Of Wines
"Shimmering gold hue. Buttery aromas with a defined grilled pineapple note. Full and creamy with peach, apple and vanilla flavors. Lengthy finish with nectar-like texture and toasted oak character." 91
Wine News - April, 2005
"More than just another ripe Chardonnay, this shows a tense acidity all the way through; ripe peach flavor in the middle fills out the sweetness of the alcohol. A solid white from a warm vintage in Casablanca, pour it with skate in a cream sauce."
Wine & Spirits - February, 2005
"...Big and fruit-driven but with the acid to balance it."
Bill Van Ollefen - Advocate - January, 2005
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2002
"This bright, light greenish-yellow wine that has a complex, sophisticated mineral-rich bouquet, touched-off elegantly with smoke and honey notes. The Casablanca Valley instills complexity and a unique character. It is an opulent wine whose tropical fruit and fresh acidity mingle harmoniously with the wood. Long and lingering finish."
San Juan Magazine - March, 2006
"Light bodied with vanilla, citrus, and cream; short finish. Simple grilled fish or chicken."
Santé - October, 2004
"Green apple, caramel and toast nose; simple flavors of apple, pear, crisp citrus/lemon and toast; high-toned acidity with a racy middle; soft finish." Medium Body; Dry-semidry
San Francisco Chronicle - July, 2004
"This beauty gets more elegant with each vintage." Highly Recommended
Spirit Journal - June, 2004
"The winemakers at CyT intentionally lowered the oak level on this wine, and now it's a much better Amelia than what we tasted in the past. It's still a figgy, round wine with papaya, pear and banana, but the transition from palate to finish is seamless. And without all that wood, you really taste the purity of the Casablanca fruit." 90
Wine Enthusiast - March, 2004
"There's a load of pear, fig and papaya fruit here, but it's all held in check by ripe, racy acidity. A crackling mineral edge and floral and citrus peel notes lend further definition on the finish. Brief cellaring will allow this to round into form nicely. Drink now through 2005." 90
Wine Spectator - January, 2004
"Scents of green olive, ripe pear and pineapple fill this Chardonnay, its acidity fresh and vibrant; for grilled salmon."
Wine & Spirits - January, 2004
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2001
"Full-bodied and balanced with ripe banana, caramel and mineral flavors; long finish. Fish cakes with spicy sauces. Serve now, but will hold for some time."
SANTÉ - December, 2003
"This well-known large producer of Chilean wines wants consumers to know it makes premium wines as well. Some of its Cabernets – particularly the Don Melchor – are stunning, but this Chardonnay was new to us. Complex tropical fruit flavors with a minerally nose and vanillin oak."
Tom Marquardt & Patrick Darr - Maryland Gazette - July, 2003
"If you love overt oak, then add a couple of points to this plump, modern Chard that runs over with the aromas, flavors and textures that stem from new-oak barrels. The bouquet is mostly popcorn atop apple and pear, while the flavor profile is ripe apple and banana. The finish is soft and creamy, with flavors of lemon and fresh-cut wood. Fine acidity and balance work in its favor." 88
Wine Enthusiast - July, 2003
"Must Taste Wines"
"Proof that Chile can attain Burgundian levels of complexity. Restrained oak, with a mineral edge to the attractive peachy fruit." * * * * *
Decanter - June, 2003
"Affordable New World Chardonnay"
"Mineral backbone. Attractive. Complex in a Chablis style. Elegant apple and mineral character. Up to 4 years. " * * * * Highly Recommended
Steven Spurrier - Decanter - March, 2003
"Still a touch tight, this wine's mineral backbone keeps the fig, quince and floral notes at bay for now, but they should unwind with short-term cellaring. Shows length and focus on the finish. Drink now through 2004." 89
Wine Spectator - December, 2002
"Grown on a sandy hillside at El Triángulo vineyard, this chardonnay is lean and spicy with a Macon-like texture. The lasting flavors of wheat berry and oak spice give this a touch of sophistication." 88
Wine & Spirits - December, 2002
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 2000
"Shows uncharacteristic richness for Chilean Chardonnay, with ripe pear, fig and grilled nut notes on a long, juicy finish. Alluring toast weaves in from start to finish. Needs just a touch of time to flesh out fully." 89
Wine Spectator Buying Guide - May, 2002
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 1998
"Brilliant shade of light pale gold. Wonderfully delicious rich bouquet of tropical fruits. Complex, rich and elegant flavors of pineapple and citrus with a touch of oak. Some fruit on finish. Excellent. This is the Benchmark wine of the valley." 17/20 - Very Good
Underground Wine Journal - August, 2000
"Intense, sweet pineapple nose; wonderfully balanced with a lingering nutty finish."
Tony Aspler - MacClean's (Toronto) - February, 2000
Amelia Chardonnay Private Reserve 1997
"Aged in 'small French Oak barrels,' this private reserve from Casablanca Valley was utterly ester free, and sported a light vanilla, floral bouquet. On the mouth the feel was creamy and the taste slightly sweet and tasted of roast vanilla. Highly recommended." ****
AlcoholReviews.com - September, 2000
"Complex aromas of minerals, citrus fruits and green apples. Lovely ripe pineapple, mandarin orange and honey flavors; long finish, with pleasant apricot flavor."
Santé - July, 2000
Deep gold. Generous aromas of browned butter and tropical fruits. A rich attack leads a moderately full-bodied palate with lush flavors, juicy acids and well-integrated oak. The finish lingers. This is a stylish wine." 89
Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute) - July, 2000
"Pale gold color. Extravagant aromas of truffle, pineapple, pear and apricot, plus a nuttiness that suggests white Burgundy. Rich, tactile and nicely concentrated; exotic flavors of game and tropical fruit. Good, super-ripe finishing fruit. Unusually dense for Chardonnay from Chile." 88
International Wine Cellar - March, 2000
"Flamboyant in style, with deep, lush, smoky notes weaving through the ripe pear and tropical fruit flavors. The finish is well oaked, and fans of this style will appreciate it." 87
Wine Spectator - March, 2000