2021 Almaviva - Epu

A far more balanced and enticing aromatic frame than the concentrated 2020 vintage, this is an excellent Epu, with pomegranate and redcurrant fruits, laced with white pepper and gentle waves of fresh acidities, along with the more gourmet notes of vanilla bean and sandalwood that are signature to this wine. Sappy, easy to love, and the tannins have a sleek quality that shows confidence. Winemaker Michel Friou.

Their second wine, the 2021 Epu is from the same terroir and vineyard in Puente Alto as Almaviva but comes from the younger vines, around 12 years on average. In 2021, the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere and 5% Merlot (no Cabernet Franc this year). It has a ripe and heady nose, with 14.68% alcohol (15% on the label), mellow acidity and intense notes of red peppers, ripe blackberries and cassis and some spiciness from the oak. It matured for one year in French barriques, only 10% new and 90% second use. It has a little less structure and softer tannins, making it more approachable than previous years, a profile that seems to be the signature of the year. It's medium to full-bodied with velvety, more polished tannins, and it is more delicate and less concentrated, with more finesse. But I find these quite homogeneous and regular, this year with no raisins or dehydrated grapes, and in this vintage, it feels open and expressive. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2023.

The 2021 Epu is a Bordeaux blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto in the Metropolitan region. It was aged in barrels for a year. Garnet with a purple sheen. The nuanced nose unfolds over an oak bed with ashes, pepper, cassis, and green pepper notes. Indulgent and rich on the palate, the fine-grained tannins and the juicy and overwhelming mouthfeel lead to an ample and flavorful ripe finish. The Chilean Cab style, powerful and bold, guides this red.