Emiliana Coyam 2022, Colchagua Valley DO, Chile, Biodynamic

Coyam is the wine that put Emiliana on the map. First made in 2001, it comes from the Los Robles estate in the Colchagua Valley, and its name comes from the Mapudungun word for oak, a nod to the native oak forest that surrounds the vineyards. The estate is farmed organically and biodynamically. Coyam is a blend of the best lots of the year, typically led by Syrah and Carmenère alongside varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha and Mourvèdre. Fermentation uses native yeasts, malolactic takes place in oak barrels, and the wine is aged for well over a year before bottling.

Emiliana Coyam is rich but beautifully balanced. Expect dark berries and plum on the nose with leafy, herbal hints, black pepper and an earthy edge. The palate is full-bodied, with fine, graphite-like tannins, a touch of oak spice and a smooth, lingering finish.

Coyam is a natural partner for grilled lamb, a hearty beef stew or casserole, roast vegetables or mature hard cheese, and it also works well with crispy duck and hoisin. Serve at 16–18°C, ideally after a short spell in a decanter. It drinks well now and will keep for 8–10 years.

Emiliana is one of the great pioneers of organic and biodynamic winemaking in South America. Backed by Chile’s Guilisasti family, the winery committed to a less interventionist path in 1998 and was certified organic by 2001. Today it farms around 1,000 hectares under vine across Chile, and its flagship Los Robles estate in the Colchagua Valley is run as a living farm, with a native oak forest, grazing animals and home-made compost all playing their part. Emiliana was the first winery in Chile to earn Regenerative Organic Certification and is also a certified B Corp. Under winemaker Noelia Orts, the range runs from bright, everyday varietals to the celebrated Coyam and the biodynamic Gê, both grown at Los Robles.