1996 Almaviva
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Tasting notes
The first vintage of this joint venture between Concho y Toro and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, the 1996 Almaviva is holding up impressively well as it approaches its third decade. The Carménère and Cabernet Franc components appear to dominate the nose, opening with dried herb, pepperoncini and graphite aromas. It is soft, seamless and elegant on the palate, finishing with drying but measured tannins and a touch of brown-sugar-like sweetness.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
This is still very beautiful, with sweet tobacco, currants, spices and hints of spearmint. It’s medium-bodied with medium, round tannins and fresh and bright acidity. Cool at the end. Dried tobacco, too. This is holding on wonderfully. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 19% carmenere and 6% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.
Almaviva’s first harvest, in the middle of March, set the tone: a base of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Cabernet Franc from Puente Alto, Maipo. Brick orange in the glass with mahogany and ruby flashes, it presents a developing nose of Bach flowers, dates, truffles, musk, saffron and glue with a mentholated air. The layers keep on coming. Pure silk in the mouth, the active tannins tempered by the lively freshness. A treasure that was born with a mature style.
Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Carmenère 19%, Cabernet Franc 6%. Mid crimson with some evolution. Mellow, savoury nose with considerable tertiary bouquet. Warm, ripe and leathery. Mature, quite gentle Cabernet Sauvignon dominates – very little overt Carmenère ‘thickness’. Lightly tannic finish. Well balanced with just a hint of rusty nails on the finish. Lively and fresh. Bravo! (JR)
About the producer
Almaviva is a collaboration between two giants in the world of wine – Bordeaux’s Ch. Mouton Rothschild and Concha y Toro.