Cabernet Sauvignon Select Terroir
2016
With over 60 years of professional experience, Santa Ema are pioneers in the Maipo Valley where they are always searching for the best expressions of terroir, from the mountains to the coast. The beginnings of Santa Ema date back to the beginning of the 20th century, when don Pedro Pavone Voglino, an Italian immigrant, sportsperson, and businessman, discovered a great terroir in Isla de Maipo, where the head offices still operate today. The founder and his son, Félix Pavone Arbea, an...
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The vines are planted in the heart of the valley, very close to the Maipo River, where they are influenced by rocky soils and the winds that blow down from the Andes and in from the coast. The 2016 vintage was marked by a dry winter followed by a cold and rainy spring. Although the cool conditions had delayed the maturation process somewhat, the temperate summer enabled the grapes to ripen. Fall began dry, but unusual rain in late April made it necessary to harvest some red varieties earlier than anticipated. The resulting wines are fresh and very elegant, with good balance and low alcohol levels.
The grapes were hand picked, then crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks for 7 days at 82ºF (28ºC), followed by a 3-day post-fermentation maceration. Part of the wine was aged in oak barrels for 4–6 months to obtain greater complexity in the final blend.
Intense yet delicate with aromas of plums, blackberries, and raspberries with a light touch of toast. Well rounded with very good balance and persistence. Pair with red meats, well-seasoned dishes, stews, and cheeses.
A good expression of a fresh cabernet focused on ripe red fruits and herbal notes that comes from estate-owned vineyards in Isla de Maipo and Pirque, the latter near the foothills of the Andes. It was aged in barrels for eight months. The tannic sensation is sharp, fruity notes monopolize the palate, and the acidity helps the wine continue to refresh to the end. A perfect barbecue wine.
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