2013 Almaviva Puente Alto Red

The 2013 Almaviva couldn't have had a more different growing season from 2012, as 2013 was wetter and cooler than the average. It was a good year for Cabernet Sauvignon, which took the leading role with a 72% in the final blend alongside 19% Carmenere (a grape that tends to suffer in cooler years), 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. It had a classical vinification in stainless steel and an elevage of 18 months in 74% new French barriques. In the last few years, the blend comes from approximately two-thirds older vines (37-years-old) and one-third from younger ones (11-years-old); for other parts of the world, this might seem young, but in this part of Chile where the vines do not tend to have a long life, they are relatively old. 2013 was also a higher yielding vintage, which somehow helped produce balanced juice. The wine is fresher and more fluid, not as concentrated as previous vintages. It has a subtle nose with very nicely integrated spicy aromas from the elevage. The palate is very approachable, soft and velvety, with very good balance and a fine texture because of the very fine tannins. In a way it reminds me of the texture of the 2006, which is possibly the most Burgundian of their vintages. Yes, it's still a baby, but a baby that is approachable from now on, and should have a long life and development in bottle. 165,000 bottles were filled between January 5th and 14th of 2015. Dec 2015, www.robertparker.com

The 2013 Blend Almaviva is composed of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carménère, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot from the Maipo Valley. With a dark profile, it offers notes of camphor, fig and ripe currant. The tannins are fine, with a textured palate showing both grip and dryness. There’s energy and structure, with lingering black fruit and a touch of ash. This is well made and evolving toward an elegant maturity.