Almaviva 2022

Viña Almaviva 2022 originates from Chile, within the prestigious Puente Alto subregion of the Maipo Valley. Created in 1997 as an iconic joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild (of Château Mouton Rothschild) and Viña Concha y Toro, Almaviva was established to blend French winemaking tradition with Chile’s exceptional terroir. The estate's 85-hectare vineyard in Puente Alto sits on stony, gravelly alluvial soils at the foot of the Andes Mountains, where cool mountain breezes moderate warm days. Operating with the exact precision of a Bordeaux First Growth, the winemaking philosophy focuses on meticulous parcel-by-parcel selection, gravity-fed processing, and balancing Andean fruit power with classical French elegance and structural freshness.

Wine Description

This red wine presents a deep, opaque ruby-purple appearance in the glass with vibrant violet reflections at the rim. It possesses a full-bodied, multi-layered, and supple structure supported by a plush, velvety texture and exceptional mineral energy. The sensory profile is rich, expressive, and aromatic, opening with an inviting bouquet of cassis, black cherries, wild blackberries, and blue plums, seamlessly layered with notes of crushed violets, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, graphite, cedar, and roasted coffee beans. On the palate, it delivers a dense, concentrated core of dark fruits, perfectly framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and a vibrant thread of natural acidity. The finish is remarkably persistent, long, and harmonious, leaving lingering nuances of black fruit, cocoa powder, and subtle sweet oak spices.

• Varietal Composition: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.

• Stylistic Notes: The grapes were hand-harvested and strictly double-sorted prior to gravity-fed fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine aged for 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels, allowing the distinct spice and savory notes of Carmenère to integrate seamlessly with the structured Cabernet Sauvignon core.

• ABV: 14.5%.

Food Pairing

The structural weight, complex spicy fruit core, and polished tannic frame of this Chilean icon make it a magnificent companion to rich, high-end gastronomy.

• Fine Meats: Pairs exceptionally well with grilled prime ribeye steaks, roasted rack of lamb with garlic and herbs, braised short ribs, or tenderloin of beef with a truffle jus.

• Game: Ideal when served alongside pan-roasted duck breast with cherry reduction, venison loin, or wild boar stew.

• Earthy Dishes: Complements wild mushroom risottos, truffle-infused pastas, and roasted root vegetables with herbs.

• Cheeses: Matches gracefully with mature, firm cheeses such as 24-month Comté, aged Gouda, or Manchego.

Vintage Quality

The 2022 growing season in Puente Alto was marked by a dry spring and a warm, sunny summer, balanced by cool, refreshing night winds descending from the nearby Andes Mountains. These extreme diurnal temperature swings preserved crucial natural acidity while allowing the grapes to reach complete, uniform phenolic maturity. The harvest proceeded smoothly with excellent fruit health, yielding grapes with small berries and high skin-to-juice ratios. The resulting 2022 Almaviva stands out as a triumphant, classic release, combining intense fruit purity, structural nobility, and polished finesse. It is approachable with decanting in its youth, yet possesses the structural concentration to cellar gracefully over 25 to 35 years.