Almaviva 2016

THE ALMAVIVA 2016
The 2016 Almaviva was showing really well, quite subtle and austere, less showy than the 2017 and 2018 vintages. It has less alcohol than either of the following two vintages, and it's perhaps a slightly different vintage of Almaviva, a little lighter and with a more elegant and subtle profile. This is a vintage of more finesse, closer to a classic Bordeaux, with a dry, austere finish—there is no room for any sweetness here.

TASTING NOTE
Deep, intense and brilliant ruby red color. The nose reveals delicate aromas of red fruits and berries, such as raspberry and blackberry, which are harmoniously integrated with notes of toffee and coffee, offering a refined and distinguished nose. The elegance of the wine is underscored by its round and fresh mouthfeel. Subtle, but present tannins frame the blend, leading to a vanilla and peppery finish. Elegant, powerful and well-structured, with a refined mix of dark fruit, dried red fruit and spice flavors. Dried herbal notes emerge midpalate, with a minerally finish that is long and rich-tasting.

GRAPE VARIETIES
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.



OUSTANDING RECOGNITION & AWARD-WINNING
Wine Spectator: #10 wine in Top 100 Wines in 2019
Wine Spectator, one of the world’s leading authorities on wine, has announced the Almaviva 2016 has been named the #10 wine in this year’s list of the Top 100 Wines.

Wine lovers today have more choice than ever, and this year‚Äôs Top 100 selection is a reflection of that diversity,‚Äù said Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor, Wine Spectator.

The winning bottles were selected from a pool of more than 15,000 wines reviewed by Wine Spectator editors in the magazine’s blind tastings.Selections are based on four criteria: quality (represented by score), value (reflected by price), availability (based on the number of cases either made or imported into the U.S.) and, most important, a compelling story behind the wine or what Wine Spectator calls the “X-factor.”

Wine Spectator: 95 Points
"Elegant, powerful and well-structured, with a refined mix of dark fruit, dried red fruit and spice flavors. Dried herbal notes come in midpalate, with a minerally finish that is long and rich-tasting. *Highly Recommended* (KM) " (3/2019) 

• James Suckling: 97 Points
A very fine and elegant Almaviva with fresh fruit and herb character. Medium-to-full body, tight and focused with very fine, linear tannins and a chocolate and light cedar undertone to the whole thing. Savory, too. Smoked meat and succulent. It's tight but opens with air. Classicism here. (12/2018)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 95 Points
The 2016 harvest was complicated by rain in late April, which made them hurry up and finish two weeks earlier than normal. The year was also cooler, and the 2016 Almaviva, a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot has less alcohol at 13.9% compared to 15% in 2014. The élevage was shortened to 16 months, and they decreased the percentage of new French barrels used—down to 77% from the 82% in the previous year. The wine is fresher and less marked by the oak, a more fluid version, with fine tannins. This is a little different, a lighter and fresher year. It was a very dry winter, complicated by rains. I found very good harmony and fine tannins, balance and freshness in one of the most elegant vintages I remember from Almaviva. This has contained power, very accessible tannins and no green notes at all. It's young but accessible and should develop nicely in bottle, as it has the balance and freshness. This is an elegant and fresh vintage for Almaviva, young and tender, taking advantage of the natural conditions for it. Well done! (LG) (9/2018)

• Jancis Robinson
Ruby with some evolution at the rim. Well rounded and rich with excellent balance. Riper and broader than a Bordeaux and with no suggestion of green. Good balance, refreshing, and ready to broach already. (JR) 17.5/20 (9/2018)