The 2000 vintage of Almaviva has been released on the US market, and described by its winemakers as reflecting their true vision and character for this Chilean Bordeaux-style wine.

Co-winemaker Enrique Tirado of Concha y Toro in Chile, who shares winemaking duties for the joint venture Almaviva with his French counterpart Patrick Léon of Baron Philippe de Rothschild, declared this fifth vintage to be a classic expression of the Puente Alto terroir, characterized by very mature tannins. He also described weather conditions in 2000 as far different from the previous four years.

"Although temperatures in 2000 were sufficient for even growth in the vineyard," he reported, "they were slightly lower than usual for the area, which, combined with some rainfall during mid April, lengthened the harvest period." Because of the climactic effect on the grape varieties, winemakers decided to leave Cabernet Franc out of the cuvée for the first time, achieving the character they desired with a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Carmenère. Almaviva 2000 boasts an intense ruby red color, aromas of plum, chocolate and berry notes and smoke that give the wine a rich, aromatic complexity. The wine is harmonious, complex and elegant. Ripe tannins provide good structure and a pleasant finish.

Almaviva is the first wine of a new category called "Primer Orden," a Chilean expression for what the French call a "Grand Cru Classé." In order for a wine to classify as a Primer Orden, it must come from a vineyard and winery designated exclusively to the production of that one wine, and must be produced under the viticultural and enological direction of a French winery belonging to a Premier Grand Cru Classé.

The Almaviva winery, located just outside of Santiago, was completed in 1999 and is dedicated to the exclusive production of Almaviva, as is the adjoining 40-hectare Puente Alto vineyard. It has been sub-divided into over 30 lots, each managed individually by enologists to focus on small volumes and the unique characteristics of the parcel.

Produced in limited quantities, a 750ml bottle of Almaviva retails for around $90. Almaviva is imported to the US exclusively by America's leading wine importer, Banfi Vintners of Old Brookville, New York.