Almaviva 2017 (OWC 6)

Description

By James Suckling in 2019 (JS100)
2017 was a warm year in the Maipo Valley, and that obligated an earlier harvest to prevent the loss of freshness in the fruit. In this case, winemaker Michel Friou and his team cut the grapes three weeks earlier than in an average year in order to conserve the elegance and tension in this classic among Chilean red wines. This year’s blend is 65% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carménère, 5% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot, and the rest is merlot. As usual, the wine has a load of delicious fresh fruit and rich herbal tones that seem to come from the carménère. The year is evident, but not as much as expected, thanks to very good acidity and a tannic structure that’s both firm and very well polished. This is a wine that deserves to remain in the bottle. Almaviva comes from the El Tocornal Vineyard in the Puente Alto zone, planted on alluvial soils in Maipo Alto. It has a long history of plantations, but the current vineyard, based primarily on cabernet sauvignon, is 40 years old.

By Decanter in 2020 (D97)
A Bordeaux blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) and Carmenère (25%). Power and concentration, elegance and balance. Exuberant aromas of cassis, damson plums and peppers. The palate is complex with cigar box, dark fruit and herbal notes framed by dense and polished tannins, finely integrated oak and finishing on a remarkable lifted length. A wine that will benefit from decanting or laying down.

By Patricio Tapia in 2020 (PT97)
2017 was a warm year in the Maipo Valley, and that obligated an earlier harvest to prevent the loss of freshness in the fruit. In this case, winemaker Michel Friou and his team cut the grapes three weeks earlier than in an average year in order to conserve the elegance and tension in this classic among Chilean red wines. This year’s blend is 65% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carménère, 5% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot, and the rest is merlot. As usual, the wine has a load of delicious fresh fruit and rich herbal tones that seem to come from the carménère. The year is evident, but not as much as expected, thanks to very good acidity and a tannic structure that’s both firm and very well polished. This is a wine that deserves to remain in the bottle. Almaviva comes from the El Tocornal Vineyard in the Puente Alto zone, planted on alluvial soils in Maipo Alto. It has a long history of plantations, but the current vineyard, based primarily on cabernet sauvignon, is 40 years old.

By Wine Enthusiast in 2020 (WE94)
A ruby color with rusty edges and aromas of plum, cherry, cassis, olive, chocolate and spice make for an exciting opening. A structured palate is solid in feel but not hard, while this Cabernet- led blend tastes of ripe plum and currant along with oak-based spice. A full finish is generous but mellow, meaning this is drinkable now but should improve over the next several years; drink through 2026.