Wine Advisor
Almaviva, Almaviva 2015
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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
2015 was a dry and warm year, and the 2015 Almaviva shows ripe and voluptuous, with a full body and sweet fruit on the finish. The varietal breakdown is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot; the high percentage of the Carménère, a constant in warmer years, comes from Puente Alto and also Peumo, the classical zone for the grape in Cachapoal. The élevage was in 82% new barriques and lasted 18 months. It's creamy and sleek, with polished tannins. It was a ripe and dry year, with higher yields than 2014, which is more concentrated; in 2015 the yields were a little higher with slightly larger grapes and bunches, and for winemaker Michel Friou, this results in better balance, with a ratio of skin to juice that is more balanced than in years when the grapes are smaller and might produce very tannic wines. However, the wines show very consistent in the last few years, always harmonious and combining power with elegance while showing the nuances from the year, which tend not to be huge. This has a little less alcohol than the 2014, and the day I tasted it, it showed more Cabernet Sauvignon personality. This is more approachable than the 2014. 180,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2017.
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
The 2015 Almaviva wears the heat of the vintage on its sleeve, leading with a warm, pointed nose of candied red fruits, dark spices, raspberry liqueur and toasted oak. The palate is opulent and concentrated, finishing with sweet, luscious fruits and a bit of alcoholic heat framed by drying tannins. While it is by no means over the top, it comes off a bit monotone compared to more nuanced harvests like 2010 and 2016 or more recent vintages in which the style at Almaviva underwent substantial refinement. I have trouble imagining this substantially improving in the cellar and feel it is best consumed in the near future.
Reviewed by: Joaquin Hidalgo
A Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 24% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot from Puente Alto, Maipo, aged for 18 months in barrels and clay vats due to the hot year. The usual local black currant flavors are present, along with maraschino cherry. Complex, with clear influence from the oak, this is an alcoholic wine with a firm structure and taut feel. A serious-minded balance between freshness and flavor allows it to breathe pleasantly.
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.
