2018 Almaviva Roth­schild Puente Alto

Almaviva 2018 from Puente Alto is one of Chile’s undisputed icons, a grand vin crafted in partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Mouton) and Concha y Toro. Consistently rated at the very top of the international charts, this Bordeaux-style blend shows just how close to “perfection” Chilean Cabernet can come. Sourced from one of the country’s finest terroirs and aged exclusively in new French oak, it offers depth, polish and a truly luxurious drinking experience.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Almaviva is deep, opaque purple with a vibrant, inky core and a narrow violet rim, hinting at both concentration and youth. The nose is open and immediately expressive: layers of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum are interwoven with violets, dried flowers, vanilla, dark chocolate and sweet baking spices, all lifted by a distinctive Chilean touch of eucalyptus and fresh herbs. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet incredibly refined, with a velvety texture that glides across the tongue. Ripe black and blue fruits wrap around a firm, graphite-like spine, complemented by notes of cocoa powder, tobacco leaf, laurel, licorice and a subtle smokiness from the French oak. The tannins are abundant but ultra-fine, almost like soft cocoa, giving structure without harshness. The finish is long, layered and precise, with fresh acidity balancing the richness and suggesting outstanding aging potential. While already complex and seductive now with proper aeration, this 2018 vintage will continue to evolve gracefully for 15–20+ years in a good cellar, gaining even more nuance and tertiary notes over time.

Production
The grapes for Almaviva are sourced from the renowned Puente Alto vineyard in the Maipo Valley, one of Chile’s most prestigious high-altitude terroirs for Cabernet-based blends. The stony, alluvial soils, cool Andean nights and abundant sunlight create ideal conditions for slow, even ripening and exceptional aromatic complexity. All fruit is meticulously handpicked and transported to the winery in small crates to preserve berry integrity. After destemming, a double selection takes place—first via laser sorting, then by hand—ensuring only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes are used. The berries are gently crushed and transferred by gravity into stainless steel tanks, where fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures to retain purity of fruit and fine tannin structure. The young wine then ages for 16–18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, adding polish, spice and structure without overshadowing the character of the vineyard.

Food & Serving
Almaviva 2018 is a natural partner for refined, richly flavored dishes such as ribeye or côte de boeuf, roast lamb with herbs, braised short ribs, venison, or slow-cooked beef cheeks. It also pairs beautifully with truffle dishes, mushroom ragù, aged hard cheeses and sophisticated preparations of game birds. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting is highly recommended: give the wine 1.5–2 hours in a decanter if drinking now to allow the aromatics to fully unfurl and the tannins to soften. In its later maturity, a shorter decant of about an hour will be sufficient to let this grand vin show its full elegance and complexity.

Producer
Almaviva is a joint venture founded in 1997 between Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the Bordeaux estate behind Château Mouton Rothschild, and Chile’s leading winery Concha y Toro. Conceived as a French château-style property in Chile, Almaviva was created to demonstrate that Chilean terroir could produce wines at the very highest international level. The Puente Alto vineyard has since become synonymous with some of Chile’s most collectible and age-worthy reds, and Almaviva is widely regarded as a benchmark for Bordeaux blends from the New World. Regularly receiving top scores from major critics, this estate has helped redefine the global perception of Chilean fine wine and cemented Puente Alto’s status as one of South America’s greatest red-wine terroirs.

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