Santa Ema

Reserve Maipo Valley Merlot

8.7361 ratings
8.513 pro ratings
Maipo Valley, Central Valley, Chile
Merlot
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
"Odedi"

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

On the nose blueberries, plums, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, vegetables, eucalyptus, spices, herbs, dark coffee, earth, thyme and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, strawberries, currants, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, vegetables, earth, wet leaves, herbs, spices, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a simple Merlot from Chile.
Unbalanced with a soft mouthfeel. Better with food than just by itself. Nothing special and not for me.

13% alcohol by volume.

78 points.

$10.

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim.

On the nose blueberries, plums, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, vegetables, eucalyptus, spices, herbs, dark coffee, earth, thyme and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, strawberries, currants, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, vegetables, earth, wet leaves, herbs, spices, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a simple Merlot from Chile.
Unbalanced with a soft mouthfeel. Better with food than just by itself. Nothing special and not for me.

13% alcohol by volume.

78 points.

$10.

Jun 11th, 2018
Jay Kline

Heavily oaked and I wouldn’t call my self over-sensitive to the stuff. A better than decent wine but so many others at this price-point that would bring me more satisfaction.

Heavily oaked and I wouldn’t call my self over-sensitive to the stuff. A better than decent wine but so many others at this price-point that would bring me more satisfaction.

Oct 30th, 2017
Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

8.6

12 different wine growing regions ripe cherry fruit plum very ripe and delicious with fresh plowed earth and tobacco spice. Very smooth a chocolate kiss some tobacco spice very soft and easy drinking. Finish 35+ very good

12 different wine growing regions ripe cherry fruit plum very ripe and delicious with fresh plowed earth and tobacco spice. Very smooth a chocolate kiss some tobacco spice very soft and easy drinking. Finish 35+ very good

3 people found it helpfulAug 20th, 2013
Kendall Johnson

Dark berries and a hint of spice. Strong tannins.

Dark berries and a hint of spice. Strong tannins.

1 person found it helpfulDec 26th, 2016
Whitney Ostercamp

Light and jammy

Light and jammy

1 person found it helpfulDec 29th, 2014
Glenn Caster

Great value. Stood up to some well heeled competition in a blind tasting with friends. Drink now.

Great value. Stood up to some well heeled competition in a blind tasting with friends. Drink now.

Feb 27th, 2015
Nick Apone

All oak. American. Dill vanilla. Not supple fruit.

All oak. American. Dill vanilla. Not supple fruit.

Feb 25th, 2015
Kyle Groombridge

Bright purple color, raspberry and spice on the nose, also a lot of licorice.. Awesome smell and a good amount of bite

Bright purple color, raspberry and spice on the nose, also a lot of licorice.. Awesome smell and a good amount of bite

Jan 15th, 2013
Dolores Padron

This 2018 vintage was reminiscent of the first time I had it back in early 2000. Notes of strawberries & a slight chocolate aroma make for a pleasant Chilean wine quite affordable in these inflationary times. I highly recommend it!

This 2018 vintage was reminiscent of the first time I had it back in early 2000. Notes of strawberries & a slight chocolate aroma make for a pleasant Chilean wine quite affordable in these inflationary times. I highly recommend it!

Jun 19th, 2021
ESF
8.8

This is a great value Merlot - first had this in Santiago circa 2002, and it is very consistent thru vintage. Deep & dark, distinct chocolate note along with plums, cassis, vanilla & sweet spices. Firm & plush, to decent finish. At 8 yrs this is very similar to profile @ release.

This is a great value Merlot - first had this in Santiago circa 2002, and it is very consistent thru vintage. Deep & dark, distinct chocolate note along with plums, cassis, vanilla & sweet spices. Firm & plush, to decent finish. At 8 yrs this is very similar to profile @ release.

May 10th, 2021