I like wines in non-traditional packaging; put it in a tetrapak, bag in a box, or can and I’ll happily try it out; anything to get away from bottles that are heavy and cost lots to ship. So, when presented the chance to try some wines from Santa Julia in a can, I jumped at it. I’d enjoyed their wines in the past, and I was happy to see them branching out into new packaging options. The results? Overall, pretty damn good.
Malbec Rose’ – $6 (SRP)
Made with 100% Malbec grapes, the wine was a pinkish-orange in the glass. On the nose I picked up aromas of blackberries and rose petals, while in the mouth the wine showed an unctuous note that was surprising but not at all offputting before giving way to the flavor of tart, unripe strawberries. Striking up a good balance between sugar and acid, I like this wine for hanging out by the water, whether that’s on the beach, by the pool, or on a boat, it’s great for hot days in the sun.
2018 Tintillo – $6 (SRP)
Made from a 50/50 blend of Malbec and Bonarda, the Tintillo showed dark violet notes in the glass. On the nose I picked up aromas of blueberry, raspberries, and roses. In the mouth the wine was juicy, with flavors of raspberry being most prominent. I liked but didn’t love this wine, though it did get better as it opened. That being said, it’s a good value for the price, and you’d be fine taking this to your friend’s cook-out.
Chardonnay – $6 (SRP)
Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes that were organically grown, the wine showed pale yellow in the glass with slashes of green. On the nose I picked up green apple that carried through to the flavor. The wine was showed a bit more roundness than I think my wife would have liked, even having been done in 100% stainless steel tanks, but I think it’d be great for picnics or summer cookouts with some grilled chicken.
Wrapping Up
Overall I enjoyed these wines, and I’m excited to see more winemakers and vineyards taking wines and putting them in packaging like cans – it’s easy to transport, doesn’t require a corkscrew to open, and makes it easy to regulate how much you drink, with each can equating to two (2) glasses of wine. I hope to see more vineyards trying this.
Editor’s Note: I received these wines as free samples for review.
