Almaviva 2001 150cl

There's lots here still, with mature aromas of coffee and sage giving way to a wide range of roasted fig, tobacco, dark olive, tar and charred mesquite notes. A brawny edge defines the still-muscular finish. Not the purest vintage, but with plenty of complexity and character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc.--Non-blind Viña Almaviva vertical (January 2011). Drink now through 2015. 15,000 cases made. –JM

The 2001 Almaviva remains youthful. Its color is dark ruby/purple and the bouquet features pain grille, violets, leather, coffee, blackberry and black currant. On the palate, the wine is balanced and elegantly styled with excellent depth and concentration. The ripe tannins are well concealed and will support another 3-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well through 2030. There is no doubt that Almaviva merits its status as one of Chile’s icon wines.  Almaviva is a partnership of Bordeaux first-growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro. Made in the style of top of the line Pauillac, the blend is typically 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22-23% Carmenere (a very close relative of Merlot), and 4-5% Cabernet Franc. It spends 18 months in new French oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Various importers. Almaviva is sold through the Bordeaux network in the same way as Chateau Mouton-Rothschild