VIÑA EMILIANA | Coyam | 2019
syrah | carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | carignan | malbec | grenache | tempranillo | mourvèdre | petit verdot

We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations.

Rafael and José Guilisasti observed that the market was beginning to change radically, with the global consumers starting to consciously choose the products they were offered, not just in terms of how these would reflect on their health, but also from the perspective of their environmental and social implications. Therefore, together with visionary winemaker Álvaro Espinoza, they began converting a conventional chilean winery into an organic and biodynamic estate, with the objective of creating wines of the highest quality, while also respecting the environment around it.

Today we are are going to review a very intriguing wine blend from Colchagua Valley, which is one of Chile‘s most promising wine regions – Coyam 2019 by Viña Emiliana. This wine is a blend of no fewer than nine grape varieties: syrah (37%), carmenère (33%), cabernet sauvignon (8%), carignan (5%), malbec (4%), grenache (4%), tempranillo (3%), mourvèdre (3%) and petit verdot (3%), where syrah forms the wine’s main body and structure, carmenère builds a more refined mid-palate, cabernet sauvignon adds tannin extract and color depth, while carignan, malbec, grenache, tempranillo, mourvèdre and petit verdot offers a leaner and a more dynamic finish and brings extra complexity to the final blend. The grapes for this wine are sourced from the Los Robles vineyard, planted on red granite and volcanic soils near Lo Moscoso and farmed 100% organic/biodynamic. Biodynamic viticulture applies the principles of the organic farming: it does not use synthetic chemicals like herbicides, pesticides or fungicides, but rather a range of natural preparations, that have the role of starters in harmonization of the biological processes in the soil, where they stimulate microbial life. In order to soften the tannins and add extra complexity to the final blend, 75% of the wine has been aged for 18 months in french oak barriques at first and second use, 15% of the wine has been aged in big, 2000- and 5000-liter foudres, while the remaining 10% of the wine has been aged in concrete, egg-shaped vessels. This wine is meant to represent the maximum expression of the Valle de Colchagua terroir and its name is a tribute to the region’s famous Mapuches forests (‘coyam‘ means ‘oak forest’). That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy purple hues at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & expressive
fruit character: overripe & dehydrated

On the first nose, this wine is showcasing overripe and dehydrated black fruits mixed with some very nuanced, earthy-dusty undertones. The foreground is filled with notes of black cherry, black plum, blackberry and aronia berry. These dark fruits intertwine gracefully with terroir-driven hints of pencil lead, soil dust, granite and charcoal, adding even more depth to the aromatic profile. The background unveils a spicy and oaky accent, filled with noble hints of peppercorn, tonka seeds and roasted oak. Subtle nuances of sweet tobacco and new leather further enhance the wine’s allure. This wine displays a very harmonious balance between its vibrant black fruits notes and those spicy, oaky and earthy undertones, delivering a genuine and rustic charm than is hard to resist.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: seedy

On the palate, the wine reveals a captivating display of flavors that ignite the senses. It boasts a firm, bold and well-structured body, thus forming a complex and harmonious mouthfeel. The fruit character leans towards overripe and dehydrated black fruits, intertwining with noble earthy and spicy undertones. The mouthfeel is characterized by crisp acidity that brings freshness to the palate, complemented by ripe and firm tannins that provides a grippy but satisfying texture. An overwhelming touch of alcoholic warmth adds depth and strength to the wine’s firm body, which leads to a pleasantly seedy aftertaste that lingers, leaving a lasting impression.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or age for 3 to 5 more years
verdict: great | a must try wine

All in all, this is a wine that offers a captivating terroir-driven experience, blending the renowned chilean dustiness with the expressivity of new world vinification. It feels rich, extracted and bold, with a complex character that unfolds on the palate, with its grippy tannins that add extra texture and intrigue, revealing the wine’s well-structured nature. This is a wine with a huge ageing potential, holding promises of future elegance. We believe this is a must-try wine, especially for those enthusiasts that are seeking an authentic but firm expression of the famous chilean, dusty terroir.

//Scoring
VIÑA EMILIANA | Coyam | 2019
variety: syrah | carmenère | cabernet sauvignon | carignan | malbec | grenache | tempranillo | mourvèdre | petit verdot
country: Chile
region: Colchagua Valley
rating: 94.1

//Prediction
predicted rating: 90+
actual rating: 91
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This is definitely a great wine of Chile and, with a total of 94.1 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Judging by the wine’s expressive fruit character and dusty nature, we recommend pairing it with a slow-cooked beef brisket served with a blackberry and thyme reduction, accompanied by roasted root vegetables. The rich flavors of the wine will complement beautifully the tender and succulent textures of the beef brisket. The overripe and dehydrated fruit character in the wine will harmonize with the sweetness and tartness of the blackberry reduction, while the wine’s earthy undertones and spicy notes will enhance the depth of flavor. In the same key, the wine’s grippy tannins will pair wonderfully with the hearty texture of the beef, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. This pairing will highlight the wine’s expressivity and its terroir-driven essence, creating a memorable culinary symphony of flavors. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.