At a glance

Producer

Casa Marin

Region

San Antonio Valley, Chile

Grape variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$45-$65 USD (as of latest available secondary market records for mature vintages)

Tasting profile

Complex matured Sauvignon Blanc with diminished primary fruit; expected notes of citrus oil, saline, preserved lemon, dried herbs, flint, and subtle nutty tertiary layers

Evolution: Original intense aromatics faded; now showing more evolved wax, lanolin, savory, and briny hints typical of well-aged coastal Sauvignon Blanc

At peak: Best examples display unique minerality, saline finish, and integration of acidity with subtle aged character

Structure

Acidity

High (notable feature of Cipreses Vineyard wines)

Tannins

None (white wine, no skin maceration)

Alcohol

Moderate (12.5-13.5%)

Aging potential

Medium for Sauvignon Blanc; 6-8 years typical, some bottles may hold longer under ideal storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2014 to 2017

Optimal window

2013 to 2018

Current status

Approaching end of optimal window; mature and tertiary characteristics expected

Current condition

Potential for finest bottles; some variability based on storage conditions, but generally considered past peak for most cellars

Casa Marin Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blancs are renowned for structure and longevity compared to most New World examples. The 2011 is now at or just beyond its drinking plateau; remaining bottles depend heavily on storage. Vibrancy and clarity are likely to have softened, but distinctively cool-climate and mineral characteristics may remain persistent.

Food pairing

Seared scallops, oysters, ceviche, sashimi, white fish with citrus, goat cheese, artichoke, grilled vegetables, shellfish paella.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Casa Marin operates with certified sustainable vineyard protocols (field biodiversity, native cover crops, reduced agrochemical use), employs drip irrigation for water conservation, and uses lighter glass bottles for packaging; vineyard management emphasizes soil preservation and manual harvesting; new investments in solar energy for winery operations (phased in after 2011, some retroactivity)

Casa Marin is one of Chile’s leading sustainable boutique producers, pioneering low-intervention, terroir-driven coastal wines in the San Antonio Valley. The Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is farmed sustainably with thoughtful resource management and minimal chemical inputs. Packaging and transport contribute to carbon footprint due to export, but vineyard and winery practices exceed local standards. The estate’s shift towards renewable energy, cover cropping, and water saving warrants a strong sustainability score, despite lack of official organic/biodynamic status in 2011.