Almaviva

In 1996, Mouton Rothschild and Concha y Toro, two of the most renowned wineries in Bordeaux and Chile respectively, sealed an agreement that had the clear objective of producing the best possible red wine on Chilean soil.

Produced under the close supervision of both partners, Almaviva combines to perfection the winemaking expertise of Rothschild and the territorial knowledge possessed by Concha y Toro. The Almaviva vineyard was chosen from among the finest estates of Puente Alto, in the Maipo Valley, a place well-known for its superb conditions for the growing and perfect ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon. The first vintage (1998) of Almaviva attained international acclaim from virtually the moment it was released, becoming a kind of Chilean Opus One.

The wine spends some 18 months in new French oak barrels and is bottled without filtration or clarification. It appears a beautiful Picota cherry colour and seduces with its aromas of chocolate, blackcurrant and blackberry jam, smoky hints, toasted bread and sweet spices. On the palate it's full-bodied, dense and sweetly fruity, yet it's not excessively heavy, thanks to a good measure of freshness conferred by the lively acidity. It lives on long in the memory with aromatic and flavoursome touches full of character.