Agricola Grillos Cantores Corinto Velo de Flor is a fascinating wine. It is not only aged on the lees but under flor — a biological film of yeast that sits atop a wine, most commonly found in Fino Sherries. The wine displays a deep lemon-gold and despite light filtering, specks of yeast can be found floating about. The yeasty flor notes are unmistakable on the nose, with fino-like aromas of bread, almonds, lemon rind, and sea spray intermingled with white pepper and asparagus. It’s quite the interesting combination and not unpleasant. On the palate, the wine is texturally smooth and rounded but driven by crisp citrus flavors and stark minerality. This would be a lovely wine alongside cacio e pepe, the spicy minerality playing off the fresh black pepper while richness of the pasta is complimented by the citrus notes and yeasty roundness.
Agricola Grillos Cantores, Itata (Chile) Corinto 2020
By John McDermott
