The 2012 Amplus Sauvignon Blanc from the Leyda Valley undergoes a 50% whole bunch pressing. It has a crisp, grassy, gooseberry bouquet with touches of chalk dust. The palate is bright and sparkly, with crisp sour lemon notes mingling with grass clippings and orange zest. This is a great little Sauvignon. Drink now-2013. Santa Ema traces its roots back to 1956 when “Don” Pedro and his son, Felix Pavone-Arbea, began making wine and selling it to restaurants and shops. This was one of the more satisfying tastings from Chile: a dependable set of wines with some excellent entry-level varietals that punched above their weight. More thought seems to have gone into these wines that exhibited fine balance and freshness and, to be honest, it was only at the premium end that they succumbed to excessive new oak that blotted out what appeared to be some excellent fruit. Still, overall, Santa Ema is certainly producing wines that show what Cachapoal can do? in the right hands.Importer: TGIC Importers Inc, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (818) 225-5100

Tropical and also plump and melony from nose to palate. Round and soft in the mouth, with sweet mango and tangy grapefruit flavors. Seems a little flat and wanting on the finish, which is sweet and candied.——M.S.(7/1/2011)—— 86

Fresh asparagus, green bean, lime and mineral make for a textbook coastal Chilean SB nose. The palate is fresh, crisp, clear and lean, with zesty lemon-lime, lettuce, asparagus and tangerine flavors. Long and lasting on the finish, with a spot of sweetness at the end. ——M.S.(7/1/2010)—— 87

The light straw-colored 2008 Amplus Sauvignon Blanc from cool-climate Leyda offers an attractive nose of fresh cut grass, gooseberry, and citrus. On the palate it has a sophisticated personality marked by lively acidity, a viscous texture, good depth, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Santa Ema makes reliably excellent wines at fair prices from the bottom to the top of its portfolio.Importer: TGIC Imports, Woodland Hills, CA; Tel: (800) 924-0030

Santa Ema’s entry level wines were generally uninspiring except for the following two offerings. The 2007 Amplus Sauvignon Blanc, from the cool climate Leyda Valley where Sauvignon does particularly well, offers an excellent aromatic array of grapefruit, lime, gooseberry, and a hint of minerality. Crisp, with good depth of flavor, this nicely balanced, lengthy wine can be enjoyed over the next 12-18 months. It is an excellent value. Importer: TGIC Importers, Woodland Hills, CA; tel. (800) 924-0300