Almaviva 2018

Almaviva, Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha Y Toro, Puente Alto. Maipo Valley, Chile 2018 

Grapes: A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot with 18 Months in new French oak. 

Attractive dark ruby color, deep and opaque. The nose is pure, focused and layered, revealing delicate and clean aromas of blackberries, ripe cassis, currants and violet, associated with fine notes of tobacco, cedar and coffee bean. The mouth shows outstanding amplitude and balance, luscious texture, bright acidity, broad structure and persistence. The tannins are well refined, smooth and silky, enhancing the fresh and juicy character of the year. Precise and polished, the wine combines harmonious elegance, richness, ripeness and freshness in an exceptional and superb vintage.

“It's a solid, well-built and seamless Almaviva, with clout and balance. 2018 was a more homogeneous vintage, globally considered one of the best in recent times in Chile. They identify a great vintage when they see more homogeneous quality in their different wines, and winemaker Michel Friou explained that this year some wines from three- or four-year-old vines were really good. It feels like a very complete wine, from a year when the seasons were marked and when the plant followed the development with almost textbook conditions – the grapes ripened thoroughly, developing more flavors and nuances while keeping the freshness. This is still a baby, extremely young and creamy, but it is still approachable; there are no edges, but what's remarkable is the balance and stuffing and all the necessary ingredients for a great development in bottle. This is quite different from 2016; it's a vintage with power and clout, a wine that has fruit and intensity and is balanced, without the concentration and tannins of the 2017. It’s a more complete year that combines the finesse of 2016 with more thorough ripeness. The spicy and peppery character comes through with some time in the glass.”

96/100 points, Luis Gutierrez, wineadvocate.com

“This is such a beautifully nuanced red with tobacco, dried herbs, wet earth and currants. Some leather and rose petals, too. Full-bodied and chewy, yet refined with great polish. It’s rich and intense at the same time. Very focused center palate. Broad layers of tannin and fruit. A blend of 72% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Better after 2024, but already a joy to taste.”

98/100 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com