2024, Almaviva, MAIPO VALLEY, Chile

Rothschild & Concha Y Toro

70% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carménère, 4% cabernet franc, 2% petit verdot.

An exceptional vintage of Almaviva, this is fragrant and savoury, with wonderful lift through the palate, fennel, anis, raspberry puree, a succulent and balanced vintage of this wine. Michel Friou winemaker, Manuel Louzada director, jointly owned by Rothschild, Concha y Toro. 70% new oak for ageing. 98 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

Th­e 2024 Almaviva ranks as the most impressive and definitive iteration of the wine I have tasted to date. ­The nose delivers a degree of nuance, refinement and complexity that other vintages have glimpsed but never fully attained, seamlessly fusing incense, pipe tobacco, sage, sweet red pepper and singed cedar aromas with impeccable harmony and a graceful overall nature. On the palate, a classically suave, gourmand mouthfeel is energized by an uncommon vibrancy, flowing into a reverberant, saturated finish that lingers with filigreed tannins and a strident core of graphite-laden minerality. ­2029 - 2044. 98 Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate.

Th­e 2024 Almaviva shows subtle exuberance with its hallmark restrained sweetness, with good depth of complexity and generosity. A touch of cedar and tobacco with sweet currants, berries and subtlety. Round and medium-to full-bodied, with the depth of Cabernet Sauvignon marrying the sweet spices om the Carménère. Structured yet fine-grained and polished. Very long finish. Drink after 2027. 98 James Suckling

 Th­e 2024 Almaviva opens with a dark-fruited profile of blackberry and blueberry, layered with plum, balsamic notes, chutney-like spice, liqorice and fine oak. ­The warm vintage reinforces this darker, riper aromatic register, in line with the estate’s mature style. On the palate, Puente Alto’s gravel soils and Andean setting play a defining role, delivering rounded, polished tannins and textural finesse. Broad and slightly indulgent, the wine shows fine, lightly plush yet still reactive tannins, as it was recently bottled, and sustains the finish with delicate fruit. Here, vintage and house style align, resulting in a poised and expressive 2024.  97 Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous.