CRITIC REVIEWS
Luis Gutiérrez
The 2019 Almaviva is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carmenère (from Peumo), 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, higher in Carmenere and reflecting a warmer and drier vintage when then bottled wine reached 15% alcohol. It fermented with destemmed grapes in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels, 75% of them new, for 18 months. Here, the Carmenere adds herbal freshness and changes the aromatic profile when compared with the 2019 Epu. 2019 was a good year for Carmenere, which suffers in extremely warm years like 2017, but in moderately warm years like 2019, the variety displays that herbal character and has good density. Its full-bodied and round, with saturated tannins, tasty, spicy and long, with a dry, serious finish. Its balsamic, with notes of camphor and a silky and velvety texture. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2021.
Jane Anson
The glamour, spice and power that you find with Epu but here given the full weight and balance of concentrated black cherry and damson fruits, cardamom pod and white pepper spices and confident tannins. A serious Almaviva, one that has personality and focus. It will benefit from a few more years in bottle from now - and then suggest drinking it within the next 5 to 10 years to make the most of the generosity that is just overflowing. 75% new oak.