Viña Almaviva - Almaviva 2021

In 1997, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Don Alfonso Larraín, Chairman of Concha y Toro, concluded a partnership agreement in order to create a fine Franco-Chilean wine called Almaviva. The Almaviva estate includes a mansion and a winery as well as a 50 hectare (124-acre) vineyard planted with three typical Bordeaux grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Carmenere. The wine is the result of the successful encounter of two cultures: Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyard, while France brings its winegrowing traditions and expertise.

The name Almaviva is taken from classic French literature: Count Almaviva is a central figure in the famous play The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais (1732-1799), turned into an opera by the genius of Mozart. The label bears the name “Almaviva” in Beaumarchais’ own hand and pays tribute to Chile’s ancestral history with three reproductions of a symbolic drawing from the Mapuche civilisation.

Aged 20 months in new French oak barrels.

“A fresh and discreet Almaviva with subtle pencil shavings and cigar box to the cassis and hints of chili chocolate and peppermint. Nuanced and subtle on the nose. This is medium-bodied and subtle on the palate with silky tannins in the seamless finish. Very long. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but it will take its time to deliver complexity.” - 98 Points, James Suckling

“Crafted by Michel Friou from a legendary vineyard in Puente Alto, this is a precise red blend that balances opulence with elegance. The nose delivers blackcurrant, cherry, redcurrant and liquorice aromas with hints of violets, eucalyptus, spice, and pencil shavings. Fleshy, with a juicy, energetic core and polished tannins that promise ageing potential. A classy, harmonious wine. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Carmenère, with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was aged for 20 months in new French barrels. (Drink between 2024-2040).” - 97 Points, Decanter

“2021 was an overall cooler year than 2020, with more elegant wines with more finesse and less angular tannins. The sleek 2021 Almaviva is a good example of that, still very young and still marked by the élevage in oak after spending 20 months in French oak barrels, 71% of them new and the rest only second use. The final blend was 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Carmenere (from Peumo), 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, a variety that might gain in percentage, as they have even planted some more with the idea to possibly replace Merlot in the medium or long term. It's not a shy wine, hitting the scale at 15% alcohol and with mellow acidity, 4.65 grams (tartaric) and a pH of 3.81 The fruit is dark, ripe and spicy, nothing green about it; it's a little shy, less expressive than the warmer years are early on and a little more discreet but with potential to develop in bottle. The tannins are still present, and it should benefit from some more time in bottle. The 2019 had more volume than the 2018, and the 2020 is closer to the 2019 than the 2018. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled between late January and early February 2023. I tasted it next to the 2020 and 2018, and it's closer to the latter; but this 2021 is more elegant, and 2018 is a little more austere and herbal.” - 96 Points, Wine Advocate

Producer: Viña Almaviva S.A.

Country: Chile

Region: Maipo Valley

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Appellation: Puente Alto

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml