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Almaviva 2003 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |
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Almaviva 2003 Editors' Choice 94
"Impressive in every way. The color shines an iridescent ruby, while the bouquet is massive, an amalgamation of fresh-cut cedar, pencil lead and lush berry fruit. Ripe as can be and balanced, with plushness and depth you don’t normally find. Finishes round and creamy, with vanilla and liqueur notes. Does not require cellaring but should hold for up to 10 years." 94
“Very dense, with loads of raspberry ganache, black currant and fig fruit layered with loam, tobacco, mineral and cedar notes. Lots of grip on the finish, with impressive balance between tannins, acidity and oak. Built like a Pauillac. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2015.” 95 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
#87 of the Top 100 Wines of 2006
“Subtle and restrained, this is far from the totalitarian style championed by some Chilean icon wines. Will improve with time, so drink in 1-3 years.” Best New Releases * * * * *
“This is a Rothschild, of the French Bordeaux Rothschilds, a Concha y Toro partnership producing stunning red wines year after year. Price indicative of the wine. I know it is steep but if you’d spend this on a Bordeaux, you really ought to give this a run. I give it five smiles!”
“If you like great wines such as Chateau Mouton-Rothschild from Bordeaux and Opus One from Napa, you're going to love the 2001 Almaviva from Chile. Produced by the same French firm that makes Mouton and Opus in partnership with Robert Mondavi Winery, now Opus is a joint, but separate, venture with Chile's Concha y Toro winery. This elegant South American red offers extraordinary taste with rich, well-balanced structure that culminates in a lingering finish. It's one of the world's super-premium wines.” Wine of the Week
“. . .a luscious, regal red that exudes freshness, subtlety and silky essence. Consider the currently available 2001 Almaviva with its accessible tannins, deep-rooted flavor and very long finish. Advice to serious connoisseurs and collectors: It just doesn't get better than this. Those who want the very best and don't know about the seductiveness of Almaviva are in for a serious and very big treat.”
"This joint venture between Concha y Toro and Baron Philippe de Rothschild debuted with much fanfare in the ’96 vintage. Despite a string of outstanding releases, its high price has held it back from gaining wider consumer acceptance. The 2001 is a brick house of a wine, though, showing plenty of Pauillac-like hints of iron, dried currant and cigar smoke, but it also has layers of Chilean loam, blackberry, plum, spice and minerals. Loads here, and filled out on all sides, this is a powerful performance in a powerful vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2005 through 2012." 95
"A $70 wine is only a "high-value" product if it tastes like $100, and this one does, with fabulous notes of blackberries, black currants, cocoa, smoke and wild mushrooms. Wow!"
“This wine was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère and was produced by Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro. When first poured, the wine had a sulphur aroma, but that quickly blew off. Then we discovered smoky, meaty smells along with charred wood. In the mouth, the wine had a rich texture with tastes of currants and chocolate. This was our favorite wine in the tasting.”
"Dry, full-bodied , heavy tannin, high acidity. Drink in 2 - 15 years. Luxury in a bottle, with dark-as-night fruit flavors combined with violet scents and minerals dark as black diamonds."
"...the current vintage, the 2000, the "almost El Nino" vintage, is beautifully made, combining the ripeness of Puento Alto's famous Cabernet fruit with a lightness of touch and real French savor."
"Deep crimson hue. Earthy, intense aromas of smoked meat, menthol, charred oak and leather. Sweet fruit flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum complemented by notes of black pepper, coffee, green cedar and lively acidity. Smoke and earth highlight the long close." 91
"A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère (a popular grape in Chile), this complex and elegant red offers sophisticated and sublime pleasure."
" Elegant, complex, balanced, structured. Aromas: Black Fruit, herbs, mulberry, leather. Flavors: Red and black fruit, herbs, earth, spice. Pairing or Product Use: Filet mignon. Can serve now, but will improve with age."
"A dark, sexy Chilean blend with complex fruit and layers of spice."
"...continues to strengthen its reputation. Almaviva 2000, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, a blend of 86 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and 14 percent Carménère, is profoundly floral and minerally, lavish with smoke and lavender, plums, currants and black cherries with an edge of dried spice; leather comes up, coffee and mocha, and then the tide of chewy, polished tannins penetrates the lip-smacking flavors with growing austerity. Excellent potential in four to six years."
"The currant, cedar, mineral and cocoa flavors smolder underneath the fleshy, enveloping mouthfeel, with a wall of ripe, finely grained tannins taking over on the smoky finish... clearly outstanding." 91
"This is a huge, tight, powerful, full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, a wine that was made to be laid down in the cellar for several years to achieve its maximum potential." 93 - Exceptional
"Dense, concentrated palate of meaty, spicy currant fruit, with cigar box and Marmite. Complex and long." * * * *
"Rich, balanced and complex with stylish finesse and lovely fruit." 93 - Exceptional, world-class; worth a special search of the market
"...this undoubtedly world-class wine offers enticing blackberry and cassis flavors, augmented by notes reminiscent of sweet tobacco and rich cocoa. Made to last, it should improve with three to five years of cellaring and will age gracefully for many years after that." 91
"The marriage of interests between Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro has produced this exceptional wine whose sinewy texture and curranty focus have earned it superstar status early in its existence." 91
"A laser beam of currant and cassis. Cocoa powder, mineral and smoke notes on the finish. Densely structured, but the tannins are sweet and finely grained." 92
"Opaque, saturated ruby hue. Rich, elegant brown spice and black fruit aromas show an integrated, expensive oak accent and a complex earthy undertone. A lush entry leads to a weighty, full-bodied palate with abundant ripe tannins and a drying finish. A flashy style akin to a premium Napa Cabernet. Three parts Cabernet and one part Carmenere. Tasty now, but best with mid-term cellaring." 92
"...has a Margaux-like red currant, blackberry and violet scented nose. While its fruit remains youthfully reticent in the mid-palate, this wine's attack and finish reveals loads of red cherries, raspberries (both red and black), currants, and cassis liqueur. It is a well-structured, full-flavored, and mouth-coating wine armed with admirable concentration. Its tannin is exquisitely ripe, supple, and angle-free. As this wine ages its middle should fill out to reveal the density of fruit evident in its attack and finish." 90
"This joint venture between Concha y Toro and the owners of Chateau Mouton Rothschild is hitting its stride. The latest Almaviva showcases sweet, dark, plummy fruit, all wrapped in a cedary cloak of earth, tobacco and cassis. Smooth and supple, framed with soft tannins..." 92
"This fourth vintage of Almaviva is the best yet released - though it will almost certainly be surpassed by the 2001 when that wine is ready for market. The ripeness of the '99 vintage provides a battleground between fruit and tannin that remains as yet unresolved, an elegant struggle in which one merges after the other in a sequence: first bosky bright cherry; then black cherry skin; next a red currant richness; then a tough yet fine tannin that begins to leave a dry impression before the fruit pushes through once again. It's fresh and fragrant, hinting at eucalyptus in the aroma." 93
"A dense, highly structured serious wine, worth the price of admission."
"This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc is the price leader for Chile - but the quality is in the bottle. Born of a joint venture between Chile's Concha y Toro and Bordeaux firm Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Almaviva has scored outstanding in every vintage since its debut in 1996." 92 - #83 out of 100
"A dense bouquet of dark cherries, plum, earth, meat and tobacco pulls you in. It is big in the mouth, yet never brutish, with lovely depth of fruit flavor, earthy accents and great texture. The fine, long finish has even, dry tannins. Seductively accessible, this world-class wine will age well for 6-12 years or longer." 93
"This has a laser beam of currant and cassis running through its densely textured palate. Extra notes of cocoa powder, mineral and smoke come in on the finish. Densely structured, but the tannins are sweet and finely grained. A serious wine for the cellar." 92
"Deeply extracted with rich cassis and black cherry along with some Bordeaux-like cigar box character, a blast of new oak vanilla and cocoa aromas and flavors, blocky tannins and perfect acidity. While it needs some time to unfold, it's clearly a very special wine." **** Exceptional
"Exceptional - This is the product of a joint venture between Concha y Toro, Chile's top winery, and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Although pricey, this wine--a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc--is sensational. Rich and complex, supple, wonderful length on the palate. It's a masterpiece of Chilean winemaking and viticulture." 94
"Rich, concentrated cassis/raspberry nose, with toasty vanilla accents, very fragrant. Rich, velvety, toasted black fruit flavors, very pretty and mouth-filling and hedonistic." 93
"Ripe plums and cherries dance around with spices and hint of figs and peppers."
"This magnificent wine (the product of a joint venture between Bordeaux's Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Chile's Concha y Toro) shows all the complexity and class of the world's top Cabernets but clearly shows a Maipo profile as well." Outstanding
"An intense cherry, ruby color with vanilla nuances in the nose. This wine is rich and complex. The finish is long and persistent."
"The first impression is of terrific balance and structure, followed by intense and concentrated cassis and black cherry fruit and deeply rooted spice and vanilla gradually succumbing to the austerity of briary, foresty oak and tannin. A very serious Chilean wine..."
"...this robust yet refined blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc is one of the best wines I've ever tasted this or any other year."
"Connoisseur's Wine...a graceful wine with a luxurious style"
"This is a wine to savor on a special occasion. Made at Puente Alto near Santiago, this luscious red is the color of ripe cherries, with gentle vanilla and blackberry flavors. Pour it with your finest filet mignon, truffled risotto or aged cheeses."
"A dense bouquet of dark cherries, plum, earth, meat and tobacco pulls you in. It is big in the mouth, yet never brutish, with lovely depth of fruit flavor, earthy accents and great texture. The fine, long finish has even, dry tannins. Seductively accessible, this world-class wine will age well for 6-12 years or longer." 93 - Cellar Selection
"...a beautiful wine on its own terms, an elegant expression of the vineyard through firm, juicy dark fruit and fine balancing tannins." 91
"Fragrant herbal, smoky nose, with a toasted accent. Lean, elegant, velvety black fruit flavors, with a long, persistent finish. Lots of subtleties and layers." 92
"...is a modern-style red, with powerful, extracted cassis, plum, toast and brier notes. It's muscular and dense, but balanced, even though the oak shows prominently on the finish for now. Impressive, and should develop nicely." 90 - Highly Recommended
"...has concentrated fruit and a classic Bordeaux structure. The wine is lovely now and will be even better after a couple of years in the cellar. Smooth and luscious - a perfect match with rack of spring lamb."
"Almaviva is an upper class red Chilean wine that speaks with a French accent. The 1998 vintage is a well structured, deep shaded wine with intense fruit, a hint of cinnamon in the aroma and a full and textured body, and it is brimming with luscious flavors."
"Herbaceous, medium tannins, higher acidity brings spiciness and deep berry fruits forward. Sweetness, hints of chocolate linger at end of palate."
"The beautiful color is opaque and inky at the center with a deep ruby rim. The succulent, completely seductive aroma is a complex blend of spicebox scents, bacon fat and barnyard funk over a deep well of fruit. And it's the fruit in the end that makes the wine so delicious, surrounded as it is by a honeyed character, eucalyptus, perfectly balanced mouthcoating tannins, the fruit red and green and black with the flavor of biting into a juicy dark plum and sucking on the pit. It doesn't taste like Bordeaux or California, just Chile, the lasting scent of the Andean forest following that river of fruit." 94
"A rich Bordeaux-style of wine with loads of currant, plum and toast flavors, surrounded by cedar and cigar-smoke undertones, with a long, deep finish."
"The succulent, completely seductive aroma is a complex blend of spicebox scents, bacon fat and barnyard funk over a deep well of fruit. And it's the fruit in the end that makes the wine so delicious, surrounded as it is by a honeyed character, eucalyptus, perfectly balanced mouthcoating tannins, the fruit red and green and black with the flavor of biting into a juicy dark plum and sucking on the pit. It doesn't taste like Bordeaux or California, just Chile, the lasting scent of the Andean forest following that river of fruit. Buy this and put it away. It's the best cabernet-based Chilean wine I've tasted (aside fro the as-yet-unreleased 99's), and the first of a community of great Maipo wines to come." 94
"Full, powerful with impressive balance and a fine, ripe tannic structure. Probably needs 5 years to reach its best. General Qualities: Medium-full-bodied, complex, dry, balanced acidity, strong oak impression, fairly tannic. Color: Deep purple. Aromas: Blackberry, mint, plum, spicy, toast. Flavors: Allspice, blackberry, dusty, mint. Other Descriptors: Balanced, concentrated, extracted, long finish, rich, ripe." ****
"Superb, so good that my heart fluttered with each sip. So rich, so silky, and filled with flavors of sweet green pepper, currants and blackberries." ***** (Five Stars)
"Tight, mild cassis nose, with spicy and herbal notes, very young. Rich, firm, tannic structure, with concentrated black fruit flavors and a herbaceous nuance, an mouthful. Much promise." 89
"Intense medium-dark color. Luscious aromas on the nose, with elegant rich fruit scents of deep blackberry and currant that continue through to the palate. Elegant, supple, gentle tannins. Well-made with good full-bodied structure. Just a kiss of oak caresses the round fruit flavors on the finish." 18/20 - Outstanding
"Complex and powerful aromas of earth, ripe berries, licorice and green pepper. An explosion of flavors, with spice, ripe plums, black olives and smoky undertones. Velvety tannins, with great balance; deep, long finish. Great with red meats."
"...a worthy successor to their vaunted 1996. The dark rub-colored 1997 Almaviva exhibits aromas of black currants, blackberries, and loads of grilled oak spices. Cassis, assorted dark fruits, and layers of creamy wood flavors are found in this full-bodied and superbly concentrated wine. It is opulent, complex, intense, and loaded with ripe, round tannins. Projected maturity: 2003-2012+."
"Vivid purple hue. Complex, shifting aromas of citrus blossom, black raspberry, black pepper and iodine. Velvety, opulent, concentrated black raspberry flavors; lush and intense with huge, ripe tannins and a bitter chocolate-coffee finish." 94
"With Bordeaux-like aromatics of cedar, cigar smoke and cassis, this expansive but stylish Cabernet loads up the currant, plum, toast, sanguine and mineral flavors before the fine-grained and well-integrated tannins carry in the finish. A benchmark for the region." 91 - Highly Recommended
"Bright ruby-red. Deep, brooding aromas of cassis, Valrhona chocolate and baking spices. Thick, pliant and generous in the mouth; seamless and spherical. Very intense flavors of cassis, bitter chocolate, tar and charred oak. Large-scaled but not heavy. Finishes long and spicy, with extremely fine, sweet tannins. Distinctive and impressive." 91
"Powerful and highly complex, it truly recalls great Bordeaux at a notably lower price."
"Sixteen months in 85% new French oak produced a more Bordeaux-like, musty wine with somewhat less fruit, but more complexity. Smoky, intense, structure."
"Fragrant, concentrated black raspberry/cassis nose, with herbal notes, very Bordeaux-like. Sleek, elegant, concentrated black fruit flavors, bright and focused." 90
"Almaviva's first vintage. This wine was beginning to open and show its potential. Rich and deep with marginal tannin and ripe cherry and blackberry fruit, spicy, hints of pepper."
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