Tasting Notes for Viña Santa Ema 60/40 Reserve

Tasting Notes:

60 % Cab, 40% Merlot, ist a beaut blend from 8 months in some smoky claustrophobic enhancing oak down in vin heaven, Chile. Initial bottle whiffs of bread dough. Glass nose of deep raisin e black raspberry notes, has to taste same fruits along with crushed kirsch like raisin, yeastieness, raspberry fruits, slight smoke, balanced tannin clean edge easy spice finish that lasts, ah hem, 5 minutes, give or take a few nano seconds? I will lay up quite say 5 bottles of this 2006 for 2-3 more years of control temp rest...just to see what the gods of Incas have wrought.. Highest quality Chilean vintner art experience; salute Viña Santa Ema!

I would serve this wine for:

Most anyone including humans that stroll by the veranda, if they can get past Gustopf e Gretchen on der grounds.

I shared this wine with:

Senore Taj Moto.

The nose on this wine reminds me of:

Fresh bread dough rising soaked in black raspberry liquor.

This wine would pair well with the following foods:

Beef Wellington e Yorkshire pudding mitt sugo.

I think this wine is priced:

Unbelievably low, less than 1/3 actual added value.

If I have any gripe with this wine, it's that:

Neinster.

Wine Rating:

2013 Fontodi Syrah Case Via Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

One of the best Syrahs from Italy (not exactly a great compliment) and from one of the best wineries in Tuscany. Inky purple in color. The nose has a slight aquarium note and one wonders how long this has sat on a warm shelf (if at all). Mostly, that is a question because these often don't sell without encouragement from a shop owner or sommelier. On the palate, it seems much fresher. Nice acidity. Black cherry fruit. Light tannins. It takes some time but opens in the glass. A unique expression of Syrah, the vineyards are warm but the profile is a bit cooler. There is some depth.

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2020 Bien Nacido Estate Viognier Viognier - Santa Maria Valley, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2020

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$35.00USD

Honestly, I love Viognier from the Rhone Valley, but less so the full throttle Viogniers from California (usually with high alcohol). Despite that disclaimer, I really enjoyed this. Unique and different as it is. Golden in color with green swirls. The nose has green apples, slight floral notes and just a hint of peach. Nice acidity. Oily texture. Light to medium tannins. On the palate, the apples are present with a light minerality. Long finish. This drinks easy on its own and will work with some lighter foods. Drink over the next five to seven years.

Putting Wine Tasting Notes to the Test

Tasting notes are a great way to get a sense of a wine’s personality before investing in a bottle you’ve never before tried. But how meaningful are they to the Average Joe? On a recent trip to Napa, we decided to put tasting notes to the test by comparing them with our own impressions.

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