Almaviva - 2022

2020: An appealing dark and vibrant ruby color. The nose is pure and layered, displaying a generous and elegant bouquet of blackberry, ripe cassis and wild strawberry, associated to mineral hints and delicate notes of violet, ink, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine shows an outstanding balance, full of life, density and structure, roundness and savors. Refined, well ripened and coated tannins grant this wine a voluptuous texture, perfectly balanced by a great acidity, as the evolution leaves an impression of plenitude, length and harmony. An elegant and well-built wine from an excellent and memorable dry vintage. Barrel ageing: 20 months, French Oak (70% new).

Wine Advocate 96: 2020 was exceptionally dry, with 75% less rain than usual in the period between May and September, which resulted in an earlier harvest to produce a 2020 Almaviva with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère (from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, so with no Merlot this time. The process was as careful as possible, without using any bombs, doing manual and optical sorting of the grapes, pressing in small vertical presses and aging of 20 months in French oak barrels, 73% of them new and the rest second use. The wine reached good ripeness with 14.9% alcohol. It still shows the effect of the élevage a bit, with abundant notes of sweet spices, a creamy touch and some smoke. I tasted it next to the 2019, and the wines have a very similar aromatic palette with a clear note of baked peppers. What was amazing in 2020 was that they harvested the Carmenere almost five weeks earlier than they normally would, and the result is not a green wine at all.

James Suckling 98: Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long. This is the 25th anniversary bottling. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Falstaff 96: Deep dark ruby with purple reflections and an opaque core, slightly lighter at the rim. Attractive nuances of blackberry, cassis, sweet spices like vanilla and cinnamon, some nougat and some dried herbs. Very powerful, with ripe cherry, taut tannins that still demand some time, and a mineral touch and subtle fruit sweetness on the finish. Promising, and will benefit from bottle ageing.

Wine Advocate 96: The 2022 Almaviva leads with a brooding, woody nose with savory, roasted pepper aromas and pleasing top notes of lavender and dried herbs. The palate is dense, luscious and staining, with considerable concentration and opulence. The finish continues this lush, layered opulence, concluding with supple, firm, unyielding tannins, welcomely braced with fresh acidity and herbal, methol-tinged flourishes. Despite its immediate richness, this is quite wound up, and it will take a few years to integrate its formidable tannins further. But it should be a joy to watch develop over the coming decade and beyond. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak.

James Suckling 99: What fabulous perfumed aromas of lavender, blackcurrants, graphite, tapenade and hints of sweet tobacco. So complex and sophisticated. Medium- to full-bodied with tannins that have an incredible finesse and length. It goes on for minutes. It’s all about elegance and class. There’s harmony and freshness for a dry year. Seductive and so long. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 23% carmenere, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but one for the cellar. Drink from 2028.