Wine Advisor
Almaviva, Almaviva 2003
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Description
Made from a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties, in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Almaviva is the result of a felicitous encounter between two cultures. Chile offers its soil, its climate and its vineyards, while France contributes its winemaking savoir-faire and traditions. The result is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
I was pretty surprised by the nose of the 2003 Almaviva because I was expecting a very ripe wine, and the nose was not; it showed some notes of beef blood and fresh meat. It was a different era for wines, and here there was more concentration, 100% new oak, and there is more extraction, the palate shows more powdery tannin. This was 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenere and 3% Cabernet Franc. I think this one should be consumed before the 2002, as the fruit is receding and the structure might remain. This is a little atypical within the style of Almaviva, more of a blockbuster that ironically enough seems to be evolving at a faster pace.
Reviewed by: Jay S Miller
The 2003 Almaviva is a real blockbuster, powerhouse vintage for this estate. With an inky blue/purple color, a beautiful nose of camphor, charcoal, blueberry, blackberry, and some spicy but subtle new oak, the wine is quite full-bodied, powerful, rich, but with silky tannins and loads of glycerin. This could turn out to be one of the all-time great wines released by this partnership and should continue to drink well for another two decades. (Note: The 2003 was tasted and reviewed by Robert Parker.) Almaviva is a partnership of Bordeaux first-growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro. Made in the style of top of the line Pauillac, the blend is typically 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22-23% Carmenere (a very close relative of Merlot), and 4-5% Cabernet Franc. It spends 18 months in new French oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Various importers. Almaviva is sold through the Bordeaux network in the same way as Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.
Reviewed by: Jay S Miller
The 2003 Almaviva reflects its era, beginning with a subdued, somewhat fatigued nose marked by woody remnants of new oak, dried dark fruits and a hint of alcohol. Soft and creamy on the palate, it concludes with a grainy, extracted tannin structure. Within the context of this vertical, it was quite educational, highlighting the significant advancements made at Almaviva over the next two decades in shifting the style toward more contemporary values of balance and vibrancy despite the consistently luxurious presentation.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Saturated ruby. Explosive, powerful aromas of creme de cassis, blackberry, cherry preserves and smoked meat, complicated further by notes of licorice, an almost iron-like peaty quality and espresso. Broad, dense and lush, the dark fruit qualities repeating with great authority on the palate and showing impressive sweetness but also focus and persistence. This has the length and complexity of a high-end Bordeaux, and a concentration and sweetness that bode well for long-term development. Finishes with thick, harmonious tannins and a lingering note of blackcurrant. As good a wine as I've tasted from Chile to date. Almaviva is a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Chateau Mouton-Rothschild) and Concha y Toro. This wine trades on the Bordeaux market; the price above is as a futures purchase.
About the Producer
Almaviva Winery: A Franco-Chilean Legacy of Excellence In 1997, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild—then President of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA—and Don Alfonso Larrain, President of Viña Concha y Toro, forged a historic partnership. This visionary alliance gave birth to Almaviva, an exceptional Franco-Chilean wine that marries the expertise of Bordeaux’s winemaking tradition with the unparalleled terroir of Chile’s Maipo Valley. Inspired by French literature, the estate takes its name from Count Almaviva, the noble protagonist of Beaumarchais’s famed play Le Mariage de Figaro. This choice reflects the wine’s elegance, sophistication, and timeless appeal. Nestled in the prestigious Maipo Valley, Almaviva’s estate spans 50 hectares of meticulously tended vineyards, where classic Bordeaux varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—thrive in the region’s optimal climate and gravel-rich soils. The estate’s striking château and modern bodega stand as symbols of its commitment to excellence, blending French heritage with Chilean innovation. A pioneer in Chile’s fine wine scene, Almaviva was the first Chilean winery to embrace the French "château" concept, emphasizing estate-grown grapes and meticulous craftsmanship. Today, it stands as a global benchmark for premium Chilean wine, celebrated for its depth, complexity, and distinctive expression of the Maipo Valley’s terroir. With each vintage, Almaviva continues to captivate connoisseurs worldwide, solidifying its place among the great wines of the world.
