This is based on samples provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

 

 

2012 Emiliana Sauvignon Blanc Novas Gran Reserva

2012 Emiliana Cabernet Sauvignon Natura

 

 

 

Overview:

These wines, while not produced by Banfi, were imported into the United States by the company.  Banfi is the importer/distributor of over 30 different labels from around the world.  While the majority of these labels are from Italy, they also work with wineries in Australia, Chile, Spain and even a couple of American wineries.

 

 

 

About the winery:

The Emiliana winery firmly believes that using sustainable, organic, and biodynamic agricultural practices results in better-balanced, healthier, and more productive vineyards, which in turn results in better quality grapes and therefore better wines.

 

Our mission is to provide our consumers with the highest quality wines with a unique expression of terroir achieved through the benefits of using organic and biodynamic agriculture.

 

To meet this objective, we at Emiliana base our work on two essential principles: care for the environment and respect for our workers and community.

 

Much more information on the winery is available on their website by clicking here.

 

There is a very informative interactive presentation on the winery’s website that shows the Organic & Biodynamic practices being utilized that I highly recommend checking out by clicking here.

 

 

 

About Banfi:

Banfi is a private concern, founded in New York in 1919 by John Mariani, Sr. and today owned and operated by his grandchildren.  The company is focused on the production and import of wine.

 

Banfi Vintners is the sole U.S. importer of the Mariani family’s internationally renowned wine estates in Italy: Castello Banfi of Montalcino, Tuscany, and Banfi Piemonte of Strevi, Piedmont.  Banfi also imports the wines of several other producers, including category leaders Bolla, Cecchi, Florio, Fontana Candida, Placido, Riunite, and Sartori from Italy, Concha y Toro and Emiliana from Chile, and Trivento from Argentina, Wisdom & Warter Sherries from Spain and Stone’s Ginger wine from England.  The company has ranked as North America’s leading wine importer for more than three decades.

 

Banfi’s success has enabled the company to play a broad philanthropic role through the Banfi Foundation.  The Foundation provided seed money to help Catholic Relief Services build a technical school and an orphanage as well as an 800-unit housing project in Potenza, Italy, where thousands were left homeless after a devastating earthquake in the early 1980s.  It also generously endows select charities and universities around the world, and sponsors annual scholastic tours to study the food and wine culture of Italy.

 

Banfi is led today by two grandchildren of the founder: James Mariani and Cristina Mariani-May, who share the title of co-CEO.  Their fathers, Chairman Emeritus Dr. John F. Mariani and President Emeritus Harry F. Mariani, continue as active counsel to the executive committee and are members of the firm’s advisory board. Banfi’s world headquarters is a 60-room Elizabethan manor located on a 127-acre estate and vineyard in Old Brookville, New York.

 

 

 

Here is the line up for this tasting:

 

 

2012 Emiliana Sauvignon Blanc Novas Gran Reserva

The grapes for this 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Fundo Rosario Vineyard in Lagunilla.  The vineyard, located 250m above sea level, was planted from 1999 to 2005 primarily on the hillsides.

 

After chilling, the grapes were fermented in temperature controlled tanks using selected yeasts.  After fermentation, the wine was aged 4 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.  There were 2,200 cases produced.

 

Organic Agriculture Certified by IMO, Switzerland.

 

The wine has 13.0% alcohol by volume and the bottle was sealed with a twist off closure.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a light yellow with a green tint.  The fresh smelling nose has fresh cut grass, grapefruit zest, crushed stones, white pepper and a touch of smoke.  This has medium body with crisp acidity and just a hint of sweetness.  On the palate fresh cut grass and green herbs dominate initially until the grapefruit zest takes over.  The finish has nice length with crushed stone minerals entering the picture.  If you are looking for a Sauvignon Blanc loaded with grass and green herbs, look no further.  (88 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Emiliana Cabernet Sauvignon Natura

This wine is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot from vineyards in the Rapel Valley.

 

After fermentation, 20% of the wine was aged for 6 months in French oak barrels.

 

Organic Agriculture Certified – IMO, Switzerland.

Social Responsibility Certified – IMO, Switzerland.

 

The wine has 13.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle was sealed with a natural cork.

 

My Tasting Note

The wine is a fairly deep ruby red color.  The pleasing nose has cassis, cherries, vanilla, chalky minerals and a slight herbal note.  This has medium body with soft to moderate tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate cherries and minerals jump out first with vanilla and herbs coming in on the back end.  The finish is a touch short but tasty.  This has a slight herbal note and could use some complexity but it will work as a week night or with friends over a platter of cheese.  (86 pts)

 

 

 

Closing Thoughts

The winery is very conscious and shows considerable respect for the planet and deserves the awards and recognition they have received.

 

 

 

Connect with me

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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All rights reserved.

 

 

 

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

 

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive.  I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!