1998 Vina Almaviva

72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Carmenere & 2% Cabernet Franc

Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile

Producer Tasting Notes
A deep, brilliant, full and frank scarlet red. Frankincense, simmered ripe wild berries and black pepper are complemented by grilled aromas, oriental spices, lavender essence and distinct mineral tones. The attack is refined and elegant, with great class. The evolution is characterized by a fine tannic structure and notes of coriander and cardamom. The long finish leaves aromas of black licorice root, resin and graphite and an overall impression of refined elegance. A feminine wine that has remained young and fresh.

16 Months, new French oak.

Winemaking:
Composed of two rooms with stainless steel tanks adapted to the size of each vineyard parcel, the vinification room is where the maceration and alcoholic fermentation take place. The must is first cooled and the juice is left in contact with the skins in order to extract their rich color and aromas, then warmed before the alcoholic fermentation and final maceration take place. The Malolactic Fermentation occurs spontaneously, immediately before or just after the wine is drained off by gravity into new French oak barrels. The skins and seeds are pushed into basket presses and lightly pressed to extract the press wine, which is added in small proportions to the final blend.

Vineyard Notes:
Located in the highest part of Maipo Valley, in Chile’s central zone, Puente Alto was recognized over twenty years ago as offering ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. It is here that 60 hectares have been reserved exclusively for Almaviva. THE SOIL Featured characteristics of Puente Alto include its rocky, poor soils, which consist of loamy clay down to 50 centimeters, sandy loam, gravel, and rocks below. These alluvial soils allow for proper drainage and impart minerality, as well as lower pH levels, resulting in extraordinary quality, balance and elegance.

Vintage Notes:
El Niño weather conditions with heavy rains, cool temperatures and low sunlight favored slow ripening, so the harvest was pushed back to late April to ensure ripe tannins. Careful handling and grape selection during the picking allowed us to bring in healthy grapes throughout the harvest season.

Producer Notes:
Located in Puente Alto, this bodega was designed by the famous Chilean architect Martín Hurtado. Built in 1998, and inaugurated in the year 2000, Almaviva winery is recognized as a perfect integration of both esthetic design and functionality. For its construction, native woods were brought from the south of Chile, interlacing the warmth of indigenous materials with contemporary, modern austerity. The undulating curves of the roof simulate the shape of the Andes Mountains, harmonizing with the surrounding natural landscape. The decoration of its interior is inspired by the native people of Chile, using symbols and artifacts representative of the Mapuche culture throughout the bodega.