2017 Almaviva

I retasted the 2016 and 2017 next to the current 2018 to get some comparisons. Tasting the three years side by side, the 2017 Almaviva is clearly the one with more herbal notes and lots of concentration. It was a warm year with low yields and high concentration, but funnily enough, there are more herbaceous notes in the wine. This is a year of power and concentration, but the tannins are nicely coated by juicy fruit.

A Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Merlot from Puente Alto, Maipo that spent 19 months in French barrels. Reflecting a warm, dry year, the nose presents notes of black currant and raspberry jam, black tea leaves and sweet spices with a touch of kirsch. Gentle on the palate with firm, pleasant tannins, a loose structure, bold flavor and intriguing expression. A hint of menthol makes itself felt at the back of the mouth.

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carmenère, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot. The growing season was marked by atypical climatic conditions. Although the total rainfall (315 mm) was normal between April 2016 and April 2017, most of the natural hydric resources were derived from unusually early rains between April and July 2016 (249 mm). Little to no rain was then registered from August 2016 to April 2017. Average temperatures were also significantly high, registering 1–2.5 °C above average from August 2016 until harvest, with temperatures reaching up to 36 °C in November and January. These extremely dry and warm conditions generated a very early vintage. All phenological stages occurred two to three weeks earlier than usual, including the harvest. Severe drought and heat contributed to dramatically low yields. Yet despite these extremes, the vintage resulted in superb quality of fruit, with small berries of great concentration and acidity. Harvest 9 March to 27 April. Dark smudgy garnet. Very obviously New World on the nose – less subtle than many of the wines I have been tasting. Big, bold, sweet and a bit over the top. There’s even a bit of heat, and diffusion, on the slightly tarry finish. (JR)