2016 Almaviva Puente Alto 750 ml

 High-Altitude Elegance from the Mouton Rothschild Clan

World-famous Opus One is proof: When the family behind Bordeaux First Growth Mouton Rothschild ventures outside of Bordeaux to produce wine, they do it with a single-minded mission to highlight the best of their chosen region. 

Almaviva is the result of the Rothschild family’s having decided to bring forth a Grand Cru Classé wine from Chile. They identified the priceless terroir of the chilly, elevated terraces of the Maipo Valley and brought their First Growth savoir-faire (and winemaker Michel Friou, formerly of Château Margaux ) to a partnership with Chile’s famed Concha y Toro winery. In doing so, they have created a Chilean icon. 

Since its first release more than twenty years ago, Almaviva has been an exceptional value compared to wines of similar quality from Bordeaux and California. Located at the Maipo Valley’s highest point, Puente Alto offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of Bordeaux varieties: The high altitude vineyards, poor rocky soils, cold mountain air, and long sunshine hours are perfect for creating grapes of intensity and distinction.

Almaviva is just a vintage removed from being honored as James Suckling’s  #1 wine of the year, and the 2016 holds firm to the Rothschild standard: It’s a 97-point blend of Cabernet and Carmenère, a wine that shows beautiful delicacy, refinement, and freshness. A stellar value for the quality and pedigree.