Matetic EQ Quartz Chardonnay 2023
The nose reveals ripe, elegant aromas, including notes of tropical and citrus fruit and a salty-savoury character. A fresh, lively palate follows, showing excellent integration of oak to offer a seamless hazelnut-pastry character alongside vivacious lemon and peach fruit.
The grapes were hand harvested from vines planted on a sheltered southerly hillside, with sandy-granite soils. There are three different clonal selections, and the vineyards are farmed biodynamically.
After whole-bunch pressing, the must, with high level of solids, was fermented in French oak barrels using native yeasts. Regular battonage was carried out and between 10-15% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, before being aged in French oak barrels of varying sizes.
| RRP | £23.25 |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14.0% |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | San Antonio |
| Grapes | Chardonnay 100% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 2 |
| Vegetarian | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Organic | Yes |
| Biodynamic | Yes |
| Closure | Screwcap |
Matetic vineyards embody the pioneering spirit and vision of modern Chilean winemaking. This biodynamic project was founded in 1999 by the Matetic family, originally Croatian settlers who arrived in Chilean Patagonia in 1892. Having established themselves as farmers with extensive landholdings, the fourth generation of the family turned their attention to grapes. Confident of the attributes of the climate and soils in the coastal El Rosario Valley of San Antonio, they developed 120 hectares of vineyard. This unique enclosed valley of rolling hills, in close proximity to the sea, offers one of the most spectacular vineyards in Chile. Matetic has fast gained a reputation as the modern face of Chilean wines, and achieved particular renown for their signature style of cool-climate Syrah, hitherto not established in this part of Chile.
Since the start, the team at Matetic embraced organic and biodynamic agriculture as a way of crafting balanced wines with a sense of place, as well as making a commitment to the environment for future generations. Today, they farm 160 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, focusing on cool-climate varieties. The vineyard is treated as one organism, with the application of biodynamic compost (all of which is made on the estate), seeding cover crops, and cultivation between the rows. A walk through their vineyards will afford you views of alpacas, geese and ducks that work in natural harmony with the vines to control pests and limit undergrowth.
