Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Almaviva (EPU) – Blend – 2022
Puente Alto – Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
The second wine from the Franco-Chilean partnership at Almaviva. The 2022 EPU is cabernet-dominated yet crafted for approachability. The blend reads approx. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 
It delivers a more accessible expression compared to the flagship Almaviva, with plenty of power and Chilean terroir signature.

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis and blackberry liqueur wrapped with violets, graphite, cedar spice and a touch of mocha. The ripeness stands out, yet the freshness and terroir voice anchor it.

Mouthfeel
Deep and plush, yet polished. Velvety tannins and a full core of dark fruit make it substantial , but it remains more approachable than the top-tier bottling. Strong finish with good momentum.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, aged lamb chops, porcini risotto with truffle, or char-grilled vegetables with smoked paprika.

Verdict
An expressive, polished, and beautifully balanced blend. While it leans toward powerhouse, the finesse, lift and Chilean elegance make it stand out. A top pick in its category.

Did You Know?
“EPU” means “two” in Mapuche (indigenous Chilean language) and represents Almaviva’s second label, crafted from the same estate terroir as the flagship bottling. — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa. Still very young, but already enjoyable even by itself.

Fruit forward and dry on the palate, with medium acidity and nice complexity. Rich and extracted.

Long finish with round tannins.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after a few hours in the decanter.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine. Would pair beautifully with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 3% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged for 20 months in (85% new) French Oak barrels.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$90. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

10

Blend of 84% Cab Sauv, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 3% Cab Franc sourced from estate-owned vineyards, aged 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep Ruby, dark fruits, spice, complex nose. On the palate flavors of rich berry fruits, spice and vanilla oak, well structured harmonious wine. Fine soft rich tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and sweet earthy tones. Tasting great, young and juicy, should easily last another couple of decades+ in the bottle. Wow! — 4 years ago

Rolf Bigler

8.9

Preis: CHF 84.- — 4 years ago

A Marie

9.2

Delicious • savory • complex - nice ender and enjoyable post-dinner wine with friends — 5 years ago

Rolf Bigler

8.9

Preis: CHF 84.- — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 84% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby with rich fruit aromas, aged for 14 months in 15% new French oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants, with notes of licorice, tobacco, some floral and cedar spice. Fine tannins, long finish, ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and spice. Nice but needs more bottle age, should last another 10 years. Nice! — a year ago

JKT

9.2

Wine dinner with big group including Butch neighbor Art, Philip and Bewan. Vertical of 2013,1989,1984 and Reserve 1996. ‘13 still young and long aging potential. ‘84 stood out amongst three, ‘89 clearly lesser vintage and heading down. Reserve tastes like a young wine and can feel the tannin. Very interesting growing. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

History begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor in San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Blend of 84% Zinfandel, 9% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Petite, aromas of jammy red/black fruits and loads of complex spice. The palate shows flavors of sweet plum and cherry with pepper, smoke, tobacco and herbs. Fine tannins on the grainy side, well balanced long ending with earthy oak. — 4 years ago

Gina Puente

9.0

User friendly on the quaffable scale. $84 @ Bev's — 4 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

from my original Costco stash, probably the best bottle yet, $84, I think was the price. Mousse evident when poured, in the glass there are few bubbles, but the prickly palate sensation is evident. Very much orange peel and biscuits, a little toast, almonds on the finish, it’s a really lovely bottle. — 4 years ago

with Elise, Denise and 1 other

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

NV Sunday bubbly from 84% chardonnay 12% Pinot Nero 4% Pino Bianco. Smell with fresh grapefruit, almonds, citrus impression, light brioche. Very pure taste with great Granny Smith apple acidity. Very good effort, this Franciacorta! 30 months sur lattes. — 5 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Excellent. Tertiary flavors of leather, earth, stewed red cherry. Tannins have a bit of a bite at the end, but so delicious!!!!

93+ points — 6 years ago

Jeffrey Woo

9.0

Dark ruby hue. Aromas of black cherry, black pepper, blackberry, cassis, chalk, chocolate, plum, raspberry. Medium body, with soft, silky tannins and plus acid. Medium-length finish. Elegant, smooth, and easy drinking. Versatile. A lighter-style California Cab. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% Merlot, 2% Touriga Nacional, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Charbono. — 2 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

NV | biodynamic | 84% Pinot noir 16 Chardonnay | 5 g dosage| 36 m sur lattes | 21% barrel aging | different layers in taste, good champagne for dinner — 2 years ago

Andrew Mueller

9.1

Excellent, low-acidity although with a slight peppery taste. Left a light but pleasant tone on the tongue and pallet. I thoroughly enjoy Cotes de Rhône reds and will add this to my favorites. — 4 years ago

Monique Gillioen

9.4

Wine tasting €84 — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

From a 5 Bordeaux grape blend: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot & 0.3% Malbec, aged 24 months French oak, 84% new, Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and currants with notes of mushroom, herbs, pepper spice and earthy notes. Fine big sweet tannins, long finish ending with cacao, smoky oak, fruit and mineral tang. Very nice, aging well, but time will reward! — 4 years ago

David L

9.3

Booker Estate Estate is 84% Syrah, 11% Tempranillo, Cabernet 5%.

Blackberries/blueberry flavors, accented by black olive, forest floor, smoky beef & pepper notes.
Edit- Very close to a PNP at this point. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.5

Beautiful light amber color. Very fine bubbles. A framboise funk and praline on the nose. Palette has a rich malt character that dances on the tongue. Disgorged July 2020 after 84 months on lees. — 5 years ago