By Almaviva Winery
Almaviva

History
In 1997, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle, Chairman of Vina Concha y Toro S.A., sealed a partnership agreement with a view to create an exceptional Franco-Chilean wine called Almaviva. Produced under the joint technical supervision of both partners, the first vintage achieved immediate international success upon its launch in 1998.

Wine Description
Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate, and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market.

Vineyard
Located in the highest part of Maipo Valley, in Chile's central zone, Puente Alto has been recognized for offering ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. It is here that 65 hectares have been reserved exclusively for Almaviva. Featured characteristics of Puente Alto include its rocky, poor soils, which consist of loamy clay down to 50 centimeters, sandy loam, gravel, and rocks below. These alluvial soils allow for proper drainage and impart minerality, as well as lower pH levels, resulting in extraordinary quality, balance, and elegance.

Production
The must is first cooled, and the juice is left in contact with the skins in order to extract their rich color and aromas, then warmed before the alcoholic fermentation and final maceration take place. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously, immediately before or just after the wine is drained off by gravity into new French oak barrels. The skins and seeds are pushed into basket presses and lightly pressed to extract the press wine, which is added in small proportions to the final blend. The barrels are kept in the Grand Chai approximately 10 months before being transferred to the Second Year Chai. After about 6 to 8 more months of aging, the wine is fined with egg white before being drained into stainless steel tanks and bottled.

Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
[Information provided by Almaviva Winery
[Information is not vintage specific]

Wine: 2021 Almaviva
Score/Rating: 98
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040
Review Date: 05/21/2026
Reviewed By: Virginie Boone
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Almaviva is in a great spot from a vintage that saw all kinds of ups and downs, starting out dry and warm in spring with a surprise January rain. Not as dense as the 2022, it's notably finessed and elegant, the grapes able to ripen slowly and develop supple tannins. A spicy, floral nose of raspberry, violet, and black licorice coat the medium-bodied palate of rounded structure and persistent acidity. As always, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, blended this time with 22% Carmenere, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged [...] in new French oak. Drinking well now, it should continue to do so through 2040.

Wine: Almaviva Puente Alto 2021
Score/Rating: 98
Review Date: 02/06/2023
Reviewed By: Zekun Shuai
Tasting Notes: 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.

Wine: Almaviva, Almaviva, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2021
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2040
Reviewed By: Alejandro Iglesias
Tasting Notes: 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% Carmenere, with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was aged [...] in new French barrels.

Wine: 2021 Almaviva
Score/Rating: 96+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2027 - 2041
Review Date: 03/13/2025
Reviewed By: Matthew Luczy
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Almaviva leads with a lively bouquet centered around black fruits, sweet tobacco, fresh herbs and well-integrated, high-quality oak. The palate is precise and coiled, finishing with a delicious combination of expansive, juicy sweetness framed by structured, finessed tannins that gradually gain grip with aeration. The seductive style at Almaviva dovetails very nicely with the effortlessness of this vintage, offering a darker, more open-knit drinking experience than the comparatively buttoned-up, red-fruited 2022. This is accessible now, but an additional two or three years in the cellar is recommended.

Wine: Almaviva 2021 Bordeaux-style Red Blend (Puente Alto)
Score/Rating: 96 - Cellar Selection
Suggested Drinking Window: Now through 2040
Review Date: 12/31/2025
Reviewed By: Jesica Vargas
Tasting Notes: Producers in the Puente Alto region of the Maipo Valley craft magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. This elegant red boasts fine tannins and a complex profile of aromas and flavors. The nose reveals notes of cigar box, berries, and white pepper, leading to delicate hints of thyme, paprika, and chocolate-wrapped berries on the velvety palate. As the flavors linger, subtle notes of cedar emerge in the finish. Enjoy this wine now through 2040.

Wine: Vina Almaviva Puente Alto 2021
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2043
Review Date: 02/29/2024
Reviewed By: Aaron Romano
Tasting Notes: A real head-turner, this detailed and nuanced red opens with notes of Mexican spiced chocolate and creme de cassis before revealing a sleek yet rich core, which is built around pepper and graphite-laced berry, cassis and damson plum flavors that fan out around fresh acidity. Features taut but well-integrated tannins, crescendoing harmoniously with elements of molasses and cocoa. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2043.

Wine: 2021 Almaviva
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 06/2023
Reviewed By: Joaquin Hidalgo
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Almaviva is a blend primarily based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, but not limited to these, and was aged for up to 18 months in French barrels. Its color is garnet with a purple sheen. The enticing nose showcases blackberry, cassis marmalade, black and green pepper, ashes, camphor and cigar box aromas. Indulgent and rich on the palate, it carries taut, fine-grained tannins, velvet texture and balanced acidity, leading to a long, ripe finish. This bold and layered red wine reveals nuanced depth and richness on the palate, promising further development as it matures in the bottle.