Almaviva 2014 (750ML)

97 JS / 95 DE / 94 WA / 17.5 JR

A wine with wonderful blueberry, blackberry and hints of cedar and spice. Full body, dense and beautiful fruit. Chocolate, walnut and berry. It goes on for minutes. A fabulous wine. Better in 2020 but gorgeous now. - James Suckling

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro’s Eduardo Guilisasti decided to create an exceptional Maipo Valley red from 40 hectares of Bordeaux varieties (now 60ha) planted in 1978 in the poor, gravelly soils of Puente Alto.The moderating influence of the Andes here allows the grapes to maintain their freshness as they ripen slowly and late. Hitching France’s savoir-faire and traditions to Chile’s natural resources, a winery was built for Almaviva a decade later. With selective harvests in micro-zones and improved technology at reception, the focus has been on greater elegance and finesse. ‘We are aware of the potential for abuse of the word “icon”,’ says Almaviva’s head, Michel Friou, ‘so we prefer to borrow the French concept of grand cru.’ Combining aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg spice with lemon thyme and mint, the seductively concentrated cassis fruit is framed by stylish oak and such suave, silky tannins that it’s almost ready now. Drinking Window 2018 - 2030. - Anthony Rose, Decanter

The current release is the 2014 Almaviva, the classical Bordeaux blend from Puente Alto, one of the most prestigious appellations in Maipo. This is a late and slow ripening terroir. This was the reason why the frost of September 2013 didn't affect them, because the vines had not yet sprouted. In the last few years they have been on a quest in search of more purity, precision and character, improving the quality of the tannins to make them silkier without losing length and volume. It's easier said than done, but they are getting there. The harvest started on April 1st with the first Merlot and finished on May 16th with the last Carmenere. The final blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Carmenère, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot; they didn't use any Merlot this time. After a sorting of bunches and individual grains, the grapes fermented in stainless steel tanks, some with native yeasts, others with selected ones. Malolactic was in oak barrel or tank, especially in warmer years. The élevage was in 77% new French oak barrels, the remaining ones second use, and it lasted 18 months. 180,000 bottles were produced. There is one single lot that was bottled between January 6th and 20th of 2016. I retasted the 2012 and 2013 for comparison, and they are developing as expected, showing the character of the vintages. 2012 was warmer and riper, an early, warm vintage, harvested two weeks before average. 2013 was the opposite, a late and cool harvest with bigger bunches and higher yields, harvested mostly in May, and as a result, it's a more harmonious and subtle vintage. 2014 would be something in between 2012 and 2013, without the excesses of heat or cold from those years but with lower yields in 2014. The last weeks before the harvest were a little cooler, so it has some of the freshness of 2013 and part of the power of 2012. For winemaker Michel Friou, 2014 could be a similar style to what they got in 2007. - Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot. Rich and polished and very well made. Quite balanced and surely some cooperage share with Mouton? Really very good wine by any measure. Long and subtle. - Jancis Robinson