Almaviva 2015 6000ml

100 POINTS

James Suckling

A glorious and complex nose of tobacco, blackberries and hints of stones and flowers. Hints of bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, very tight and compacted. Linear backbone gives this form and tension. It has the same character on the palate as well as cayenne and other spice. Loved the 2014 but this shows more fine-grained tannins. So balanced and harmonious. A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Needs four or five years in bottle but a joy to taste now.

100 POINTS

James Suckling

Blackcurrant, flower, lead-pencil, and iodine aromas. Medium to full body with firm, polished tannins. Very young and solid. Reserved now, yet if you dig down deep on the palate it shows so much. There’s so much beneath it all. Give it time. The incredible depth and structure is all there. It was our Wine of the Year in 2018. 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Try after 2025 or later.

96 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This latest release has 2% of Petit Verdot, adding a dash of dark pepper spice. It's a lovely wine, structured, intense but not tight, and beautifully balanced. There are some great liquorice and soft berry spice flavours, with notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon and sage. It has soft, smooth tannins which lend a supple texture to the wine. This gets better and better in the glass and has a freshness and grip that suggests great ageing potential.

96 POINTS

Bob Campbell MW - The Real Review

A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carménère, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. A youthful wine with bright, peppery tannins that are smothered by sweet berry fruit. Needs time. Impressive

95 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Powerful and rich, this is full of juicy dark plum, cherry tart and berry compote flavors that are creamy and lush. Hints of French roast and spice emerge midpalate, with a long finish that is elegant and savory. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

95 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep dark ruby garnet, with a deeply coloured core, purple reflections, soft brightening on the rim. A floral touch, a hint of prunes, candied orange zest, almost a touch overripe, sweet blackberry confit, subtle nougat. Elegant on the palate, balanced, with pronounced fruit texture, fine tannins, very good length, a chocolatey touch, yet not a trace of opulence. On the contrary, even a bit leaner compared to 2014, very attractive and promising.

93 POINTS

Vinous

A Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 24% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot from Puente Alto, Maipo, aged for 18 months in barrels and clay vats due to the hot year. The usual local black currant flavors are present, along with maraschino cherry. Complex, with clear influence from the oak, this is an alcoholic wine with a firm structure and taut feel. A serious-minded balance between freshness and flavor allows it to breathe pleasantly.