Each Thursday, we select a new Midtown Wine of the Week. Typically under $20, these are wines we think will be palatable to everyone out there — from the discerning connoisseur to the wine novice. This week we went with Santa Ema’s Reserve Merlot 2008, which rated 90 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

I decided to take a bottle home to try last night, as I hadn’t had it in quite a few years, and it was just as excellent as I remember.

It pours a deep purple with a dark crimson edge. On the nose it offers up a bouquet of cocoa powder, a tinge of sweet vanilla from the oak and a slight hint of alcohol. It’s medium to full-bodied with soft tannins that just barely layer the palate, though as the bottle remains open for a few hours, the mouthfeel takes on a bit of a fleshy characteristic. The milk chocolate tones come out stronger on the mid-palate along with ripe blackberry jam. There’s a hint of spice to go with the acidity, and the smooth finish goes on for a solid 20+ seconds.

What makes this wine even more impressive is the price — $13.99. Quality bottles at affordable prices have become the norm out of Chile and Argentina, and they are more and more readily available as well.

What’s your favorite bottle of South American wine?

Posted in: Wine News
Tags: Chilean wine, Merlot, Midtown Wine and Spirits, red wine, Robert Parker, Santa Ema Reserve, Under $20, Wine Advocate, Wine of the Week