My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.
This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 5 years ago
Top! Nível Dom Melchor ou quase Almaviva — 11 years ago
Almaviva – Red Blend – 2022
Puente Alto – Chile 🇨🇱
Overview
A “pure evil” expression of ultra-fine winemaking produced by the collaboration between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. The 2022 Almaviva blends precision and power from Chile’s premier terroir in Puente Alto.
Varietal Composition: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 
Aromas & Flavors
Cassis, blackberry liqueur, violets, graphite, cedar spice, and a touch of mocha, all densely packed but beautifully lifted.
Mouthfeel
Velvety, deep, and resolute. Superb tannin refinement with a long, elegant finish that balances richness with precision.
Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops, charred mushrooms, or a luxurious truffle risotto.
Verdict
Expressive, beautiful, and undeniably classy. A solid, velvety powerhouse that is enjoyable now or will age with grace.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
The finest expression I’ve tasted from Chile’s greatest terroir, Puente Alto, with roared potential and impeccable balance. — 7 months ago
Another cracker from Chile. Concentrated dark fruit with tobacco and dark chocolate on the nose. Still a young wine and will certainly develop in the coming years. More European Bordeaux style but with a new world ‘heaviness’. Tannins are evident but not overpowering and the more restrained carmenere grape releases great flavour but without the punch of a Cabernet dominated blend. I still prefer almaviva but this is a great wine and I really enjoyed it. — 8 years ago
A stunner...So seductive. Hiding behind the world's least sexy label (Is that an Edwardian-era banker?) lies a breathtaking wine. Exquisite depth, and balance. Vanilla, butter, fleshy red fruit, toned minerality...it all sings on the palate. Worthy of carrying the portrait of the founder of Château Mouton Rothschild...and from the same producers that joint-ventured in California & Chile to create Opus One & Almaviva. They know a thing or two about wine. It is so good. I'mready for a top up. :) Cheers! — 11 years ago
MJ, 4.2. Perdeu muito para o Almaviva 2008 — tomados juntos — 2 years ago
On a Chile night when the budget won’t stretch to Almaviva or Sena, then this will do nicely. Plenty of rich fruit and complexity, with some tannin structure and a dry but flavoursome finish. 2016 produced a lot of Bordeaux like reds in Chile, I have tasted some very enjoyable stuff from that vintage. — 7 years ago
Carménère from Apalta planted in 1938. Aromatically, this was quite similar to the 2011 Almaviva I had a couple weeks ago. Smoke, chocolate, olive, and pencil shavings... evocative of left bank Bordeaux, and yet distinctively Chilean. Quite a bit thinner and more tart on the palate than the Almaviva, but continuously improved and gained weight over several hours. — 9 years ago
Wine costs over $200 but is absolutely a fantastic tasting wine. — 12 years ago
Andy@andyberke.com
Set good at the price. Good tannins — 2 months ago