2005 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

2005 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Maipo Valley, Chile $12. The nose smells of plum and dark grapes, kind of grapey smells coming through, along with some wood aromas. Not to be worried this wine is balanced, the oak complements but does not overpower. At first the wine is acceptable but a bit on the harsh side. This wine is a definite candidate for decanting, it needs some serious time to breathe, approximately 45 minutes to show it's true colors. This cabernet is straight forward, it's not going to tell you a story but what it covers the basics very well. The tannins are very smooth and soft. For the price this is a real solid value. The wine is not complex but what is does, it does well. I recommend it.

2005 Clancy's Red

2005 Peter Lehmann's Clancy's Red - Barossa, Australia $15. This is an interesting full bodied wine from one of the top producers in Australia, it is a blend of mostly Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Merlot. This is the entry level bottling from Peter Lehmann wines all of which come from grapes grown in the Barossa valley, considered the most prime growing region in Australia. The nose of the wine is a bit tart as well as the initial taste of the wine. At first the wine comes across as too tart. But the key to this wine is to let it breathe. This wine definitely takes time to open up, 30 minutes at the very least. I didn't start enjoying this wine until I dropped it into a decanter. Once in the decanter the wine definitely soften. The Clancy's Red is a rich and full bodied wine that once it has opened is soft and just a touch on the tart side. This wine is good but not great, it is worth a shot though but only if you have the patience to let this wine come around and soften up, once it softens it is quite enjoyable. This wine is easily found in grocery stores, and wine shops.


www.peterlehmannwines.com.au