Sena 2016 1500ml

98 POINTS

Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com

What a beautifully maturing red Bordeaux blend in which delicate toasty oak, plus graphite and herbal complexity almost ideally complement the complex red-fruit aromas. Fantastic structure on the medium- to full-bodied palate thanks to the abundance of fine-grained tannins. Terrific interplay of restrained ripeness and cool reductive character at the extremely long finish. A cuvee of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 20% malbec, 12% petit verdot, 8% carmenere and 5% cabernet franc. 20th Anniversary Berlin Tasting Event, February 2024.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas are lifted and bright in this wine with loads of blackberries and blueberries. Full body, velvety tannins. Gorgeous texture. Very pure fruit. A bright and more fundamental Seña than last vintages. Restrained at the end. 55% cabernet, 20% malbec, 12% petit verdot, 8% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc. September 2018 release. Needs three or four years of bottle age.

97 POINTS

Patricio Tapia - Decanter

The Seña vineyard was planted in 1998 in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley, and since 1995 it's provided the fruit for a single vineyard blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon. This new release is 55% Cabernet, with 20% Malbec, 15% Petit Verdot, 8% Carménère and 2% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Francisco Baettig works with these grapes to obtain the greatest freshness, and the very cold temperatures of 2016 certainly helped him in this task. The 2016 is vibrant, full of notes of flowers and spices, with a medium-bodied palate showing juicy acidity and firm, sharp tannins, like small needles. A linear, vertical wine, this is probably the best version to date.

97 POINTS

Luis Gutierrez - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The truly excellent 2016 Seña could very well be the finest wine produced at this estate that started as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Eduardo Chadwick and now continues under the guidance of Chadwick and the excellent hand of winemaker Francisco "Pancho" Baettig. The grapes were picked later in 2016, and the final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Carmenere and 5% Cabernet Franc, with more Malbec and considerably less Carmenere than in the past. This is "only" 13.5% alcohol and has remarkable acidity and freshness, as well as overall balance and elegance that surpasses all previous vintages. Twelve percent of the volume matured in oak foudres, while the rest was aged in barrique (73% new) for 22 months. Even so, the wine is not oaky and comes through as harmonious and elegant within the house style. It's serious, dry and elegant, with zero concessions to sweetness. A mineral and profound red blend. 72,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2018. Winemaker Francisco Baettig keeps pushing the envelope and is producing more and more harmonious wines, here and in the other wineries from the group.

97 POINTS

Anne Krebiehl MW - Falstaff

A rather shy nose needs a lot of swirling to reveal a touch of mint and plum but does not want to give more away. More air, later, lends a hint of mocha. The palate is still tight, very concentrated but all the dark, luscious and juicy fruit seems to be bundles around a central vein of freshness. Hints of blueberry shimmer while fine tannins somehow seem streamlined and linear. A lovely and very elegant wine that will go the distance. Gorgeous length and real complexity.

95 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep ruby-garnet colour, with ochre reflections, brighter at the broad rim. Fine precious oak nuances, hints of vanilla, caramel and strawberry confit, red cherry, candied violets, delicate mint and menthol: a multi-faceted bouquet. Elegant and full of finesse on the palate, appears light-footed, fresh and playful, with a red berry texture and subtle fruit expression. Clearly slimmed down by the cool vintage, yet with good length, it is already well developed. In a way, a fine Seña-light.

95 POINTS

Kim Marcus - Wine Spectator

Elegant, rich and finely textured, with concentrated and pure-tasting flavors of dried cherry, raspberry and red currant, framed by medium-grained tannins. The polished finish features sandalwood and dried savory spice notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2025. 8,000 cases made.

93 POINTS

Joaquin Hidalgo - Vinous

Seña 2016 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Carménère and 5% Cabernet Franc, all from Aconcagua, that spent 22 months in French oak, 73% of it new. A ripe, complex nose of cassis and raspberry jam with sweet spices from the ageing. Fresh and juicy on the palate with a taut texture of firm, precise tannins and a bold, lengthy finish. Will age well in the bottle.