Paolo Bea

Santa Chiara Umbria Bianco Malvasia Blend

9.2324 ratings
9.2108 pro ratings
Umbria, Italy
Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces, Tomato-Based, Goat & Feta Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salads & Greens, Fruit Desserts, Cake & Cream
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Poured into a Boa decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2016 “Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, deep and slightly hazy copper gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with desiccated apricots, dried apples, yellow flowers, and curaçao. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- tannins. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and super amazing. This is such a wonderful bottle of Bea. When his whites hit, well…they really hit. Drink now with a short decant or over the next 3-5 years. Bottle 1641/6133

Poured into a Boa decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2016 “Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, deep and slightly hazy copper gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with desiccated apricots, dried apples, yellow flowers, and curaçao. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- tannins. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and super amazing. This is such a wonderful bottle of Bea. When his whites hit, well…they really hit. Drink now with a short decant or over the next 3-5 years. Bottle 1641/6133

Dec 25th, 2023
Paco Suro

Orange Sun in color. Delicious.

Orange Sun in color. Delicious.

Jul 31st, 2023
Jay Kline

Splash decanted about 15min prior and served just below cellar temp. The 2015 Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, burnished gold color. No real signs of particles or gas. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is medium intensity and remarkably clean! This stands in stark contrast to other orange wines from Paolo Bea like Arboreus and Lapideus which are wild AF. Instead, the olfactory is greeted with the most deliciously fresh smelling Pink Lady apples, apricots, tangerines, and yellow flowers. On the palate, the wine is dry and the tannins, while they grab my attention, are probably closer to medium. Medium…bordering on medium+ acid. On the palate, the pomaceous and stone fruits predominate along with some herbs and minerals all wrapped in a gorgeously textured package. Super well balanced. The finish is long, a touch bitter and provides plenty of zip to work with the Cacciucco that we made for dinner. An absolutely lovely, and quite becoming, orange wine that’s drinking so well right now. Bottle #4419/6400.

Splash decanted about 15min prior and served just below cellar temp. The 2015 Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, burnished gold color. No real signs of particles or gas. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is medium intensity and remarkably clean! This stands in stark contrast to other orange wines from Paolo Bea like Arboreus and Lapideus which are wild AF. Instead, the olfactory is greeted with the most deliciously fresh smelling Pink Lady apples, apricots, tangerines, and yellow flowers. On the palate, the wine is dry and the tannins, while they grab my attention, are probably closer to medium. Medium…bordering on medium+ acid. On the palate, the pomaceous and stone fruits predominate along with some herbs and minerals all wrapped in a gorgeously textured package. Super well balanced. The finish is long, a touch bitter and provides plenty of zip to work with the Cacciucco that we made for dinner. An absolutely lovely, and quite becoming, orange wine that’s drinking so well right now. Bottle #4419/6400.

Mar 1st, 2022
Paco Suro

Skin contact fun continues.

Skin contact fun continues.

Sep 5th, 2021
Josh Morgenthau

Cidery and floral aromas, honeycomb, preserved lemons, va, and impressive concentration. Solid skin contact white but for the price I’ll probably stick to the rossi.

Cidery and floral aromas, honeycomb, preserved lemons, va, and impressive concentration. Solid skin contact white but for the price I’ll probably stick to the rossi.

Jul 3rd, 2021
Lucid Selections

Should be on every list.

Should be on every list.

Jun 22nd, 2018
Caleb Schiff

Tasty and unexpected.

Tasty and unexpected.

Aug 30th, 2017
jams jerfy

hmmm. so, had 3 glasses from the coravin 10 days ago, and now just poured another coravin glass. as with other funky whites (folk off, etc) the color has gone more brown, and this time there is a new band-aid thing going on now. I think this thing is awesome for certain things, but not this wine.

hmmm. so, had 3 glasses from the coravin 10 days ago, and now just poured another coravin glass. as with other funky whites (folk off, etc) the color has gone more brown, and this time there is a new band-aid thing going on now. I think this thing is awesome for certain things, but not this wine.

3 people found it helpfulOct 13th, 2014
Rebecca Hopkins

PR Folio Fine Wine Partners

9.2

A most interesting Umbrian white blend from one of the region's finest - brilliant mandarin color w a beguiling balance of savory cheese rind, cardamom spice and brilliantly clean finish

A most interesting Umbrian white blend from one of the region's finest - brilliant mandarin color w a beguiling balance of savory cheese rind, cardamom spice and brilliantly clean finish

2 people found it helpfulOct 13th, 2014
Lyle Coffield

Sommelier Kokkari, Evvia Estatorios

9.5

Hey Zeus Kristo! My my... Talk about powerful "white" wine! Amber NOT orange with off dry nutty notes... Bee pollen, cardamom. Woof.

Hey Zeus Kristo! My my... Talk about powerful "white" wine! Amber NOT orange with off dry nutty notes... Bee pollen, cardamom. Woof.

2 people found it helpfulAug 9th, 2014