A good bottle that, when served cold and allowed to open up in the glass, showed some unusual complexity and notes thanks to the blend of five grape varietals. Not for everyone, but can surprise (positively) the most dubious among us. This is my second and final bottle of this and its not subjectively good enough for me to buy again.
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Poured into a Boa decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2016 “Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, deep and slightly hazy copper gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with desiccated apricots, dried apples, yellow flowers, and curaçao. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- tannins. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and super amazing. This is such a wonderful bottle of Bea. When his whites hit, well…they really hit. Drink now with a short decant or over the next 3-5 years. Bottle 1641/6133
Every wine has a time and place to be enjoyable (unless badly made of course). While this wouldn't be an everyday drinker it was enjoyable but like other "orange" wines no matter what the grape or appellation, they all taste very similar with no sense of place. I didn't think this had excessive skin contact but those that do are unrecognizable from one another.
I do think this would be great with food that incorporates soy sauce like sushi or a soy braised protein.
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A little volatility, orange and peach, herbs, some bitter earth. On day 2 the structure recedes and it's a little juicier and friendlier. I've liked other vintages of this wine more.
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I am a fan of Paolo Bea's wines. Not this one. Flawed by brettanomyces, A shame because underneath the barnyard there is hiding a refreshing wine with very good acid/fruit balance and pleasant spice. But this wine's beautiful face is obscured by whatever it fell into face-first in the horse stall. The more you drink, the simpler it gets. Bought two bottles, won't buy again. I'll save my money for the Pipparello and Pagliaro instead.
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Equal parts Grechetto, Malvasia, Garganega, S.B. and Chard fermented 25 days on the skins. Gold with an orange hue. Med (+) nose of white blossoms, ripe citrus, apple, dried apricots, honey, pine resin. Very complex. Developing. Dry, with med (+) acidity, med (-) tannins and med (+) alcohol (13.5%). Substantial body, with a creamy, oily mouthfeel and med (+) flavor intensity. Finishes chewy, with a note of phenolic bitterness. Drinking well now but with many years of improvement ahead. One of the better orange wines I have had.
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What a fun wine. Nose of nutty almond, funk, orange and citrus fruits. Lively acidity makes it interesting sip after sip. Palate does lack a bit of complexity, although the flavors carry through. Interesting and fun bottle to taste.
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A fun shift away from most of what I drink. On the nose there is orange peel, ginger and herbs. A touch drying on the palate, but also very fresh and full of minerality. More orange peel, baking spices, some bright red fruits. This tastes very lean, but has a broad presence. An interesting one.
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Amazing orange from Bea. Spicy and energetic up front with complexity and layers throughout the finish. Mineral on the nose with a rounded montefalco terior that will only get better with time.
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This is unique and delicious with an incredible array of flavors including orange peel, tangerine and clove. The finish is taut and suuculent with complex notes of smoky minerals and orange marmalade. A truly special orange wine.
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Just an awesome example of an orange wine with great freshness and intensity and superb flavors of peaches and tangerines. The finish is wonderfully grippy and complex with notes of smoky minerals and orange spices. An oxidized style of wine although this isn't very oxidized at this point. Very refreshing on a summer's eve and a real crowd-pleaser.
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2/11/2024 - dkstar1 wrote: 88 Points
A good bottle that, when served cold and allowed to open up in the glass, showed some unusual complexity and notes thanks to the blend of five grape varietals. Not for everyone, but can surprise (positively) the most dubious among us. This is my second and final bottle of this and its not subjectively good enough for me to buy again.
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12/21/2023 - thesternowl wrote: 93 Points
Poured into a Boa decanter about 30min prior to service. The 2016 “Santa Chiara pours a brilliant, deep and slightly hazy copper gold color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with desiccated apricots, dried apples, yellow flowers, and curaçao. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium- tannins. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and super amazing. This is such a wonderful bottle of Bea. When his whites hit, well…they really hit. Drink now with a short decant or over the next 3-5 years. Bottle 1641/6133
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7/8/2023 - diggydan wrote: 92 Points
Super interesting dark orange color. Good flavors and body and paired quite well with soy sauce at an Izakya. $85ish at Seki.
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10/20/2022 - Dmax808 wrote: 90 Points
Every wine has a time and place to be enjoyable (unless badly made of course). While this wouldn't be an everyday drinker it was enjoyable but like other "orange" wines no matter what the grape or appellation, they all taste very similar with no sense of place. I didn't think this had excessive skin contact but those that do are unrecognizable from one another.
I do think this would be great with food that incorporates soy sauce like sushi or a soy braised protein.
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3/20/2022 - bbq_grandcru wrote: flawed
Totally oxidized dark butterscotch color.
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9/18/2021 - coremill wrote: 87 Points
A little volatility, orange and peach, herbs, some bitter earth. On day 2 the structure recedes and it's a little juicier and friendlier. I've liked other vintages of this wine more.
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7/3/2021 - Cochon Rouge Does not like this wine: 80 Points
I am a fan of Paolo Bea's wines. Not this one. Flawed by brettanomyces, A shame because underneath the barnyard there is hiding a refreshing wine with very good acid/fruit balance and pleasant spice. But this wine's beautiful face is obscured by whatever it fell into face-first in the horse stall. The more you drink, the simpler it gets. Bought two bottles, won't buy again. I'll save my money for the Pipparello and Pagliaro instead.
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4/1/2021 - jvphoto Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Horse sweat, barnyard & varnish on the nose for two hours & gave up on it. Palate wasn’t bad but couldn’t get past the nose.
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1/16/2021 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 93 Points
Equal parts Grechetto, Malvasia, Garganega, S.B. and Chard fermented 25 days on the skins. Gold with an orange hue. Med (+) nose of white blossoms, ripe citrus, apple, dried apricots, honey, pine resin. Very complex. Developing. Dry, with med (+) acidity, med (-) tannins and med (+) alcohol (13.5%). Substantial body, with a creamy, oily mouthfeel and med (+) flavor intensity. Finishes chewy, with a note of phenolic bitterness. Drinking well now but with many years of improvement ahead. One of the better orange wines I have had.
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1/12/2021 - Bakerbd Likes this wine: 92 Points
Orange blossom, marmalade, marzipan, fine tannin, great texture
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10/12/2020 - mye wrote:
What a fun wine. Nose of nutty almond, funk, orange and citrus fruits. Lively acidity makes it interesting sip after sip. Palate does lack a bit of complexity, although the flavors carry through. Interesting and fun bottle to taste.
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9/27/2020 - rgawlowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
A new experience for me, but this was more approachable than the Arboreus, orangy, zesty, nice nose.
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9/15/2020 - Jason Stein wrote: 90 Points
A fun shift away from most of what I drink. On the nose there is orange peel, ginger and herbs. A touch drying on the palate, but also very fresh and full of minerality. More orange peel, baking spices, some bright red fruits. This tastes very lean, but has a broad presence. An interesting one.
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7/25/2020 - Brian Reck wrote: 94 Points
Amazing orange from Bea. Spicy and energetic up front with complexity and layers throughout the finish. Mineral on the nose with a rounded montefalco terior that will only get better with time.
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7/22/2020 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is unique and delicious with an incredible array of flavors including orange peel, tangerine and clove. The finish is taut and suuculent with complex notes of smoky minerals and orange marmalade. A truly special orange wine.
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7/19/2020 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fascinating. Tannins somewhat firm. Very light oxidation. 13.5%
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7/4/2020 - dream Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just an awesome example of an orange wine with great freshness and intensity and superb flavors of peaches and tangerines. The finish is wonderfully grippy and complex with notes of smoky minerals and orange spices. An oxidized style of wine although this isn't very oxidized at this point. Very refreshing on a summer's eve and a real crowd-pleaser.
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9/23/2019 - claireeann Likes this wine:
Viscous bright acidic tannic in that order
Macerated peaches in lime juice with pale grassy finish
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