The 14 Almaviva Cabernet is 68% Cabernet, 22% Carménère and 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vines are 38 years of age. The wine spent 18 months in 75% new oak. The nose shows some slight funk at first. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black cherry cola/licorice and dark florals. The M+ tannins are soft and a little sticky. The fruits are slightly candied in style. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, soft leather, crushed rocks, dark moist turned earth and dark fresh florals. The structure, length, tension, balance and finish are quiet beautiful. Producer history and notes...Almaviva began in 1997, as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. With the strengths of both families pedigree, they achieved international recognition with the the launch of their very first vintage. Their goal was to create the equivalent of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé in Chile. Patrick Leon is their Winemaker and also makes Opus One & Mouton Rothschild. Almaviva is located in the Maipo Valley in Chile's central zone. Puente Alto has ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Almaviva has 85 hectares. The climatic features of Puente Alto include its; stony soil, cold, rainy winters, and the hot days and cool nights of its summers. Maipo is considered Chile’s Napa Valley.
— 7 years ago
2013 Belleruche by Maison M. Chapoutier, Côtes-de-Rhône. Another Rosé from this same district in which Tavel is located. This is a lovely wine! Smells of raspberries, strawberries, vanilla, little alcohol forward but smoother than Tavel. More depth, less bite, little if any tannins. Not as bright and crisp as Tavel. Nice body, very smooth finish. I liked this one more than the 2010 Tavel rosé in the previous post. I paired this with crispy-skin salmon using Chef Ramsay's directions: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SQuyOwNtAVM Interesting fact: starting in 1996, all M. Chapoutier bottle labels have Braille. $15. I give this a 90. — 10 years ago
One of my favorites in the in Bourguignon-style of Beaujolais are those of Thibault Liger-Belair. What I adore about Thibault’s approach is that his winemaking philosophy seems to suit M-à-V so well. Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2016 “Moulin-à-Vent VV” is full of the undeniable dark fruit and structure and yet, incorporates a funky charm that seems to bridge Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaujolais perfectly. To my palate, these 2016 VV’s are just entering the early part of their drinking window. I still think this is developing and it will take another few years before the secondary characteristics begin to show and that’s when the magic really starts to show with these wines. All of the pieces and parts are there…all that is required at this point s a little more patience. Good now but better with a little patience and after 2026. Should be awesome well through 2036 — a year ago
This was our second bottle. First was uninspiring and despite the 97pt RP rating, found it to be disappointing. The trick is to let it breathe for at least an hour to let the flavors develop. It is no Opus One but very satisfying with a juicy steak or just plain enjoyment! — 7 years ago
2005 vintage. Blackberry, black cherry, earth, mushroom, black olive. M acid and body. M+ intensity, round tannin, finish and complexity. — 9 years ago
Jantarova barva. 23 let stare. Plna zralost. Ve vuni rozinky, med, exot ovoce, ale velmi decentne. V chuti krasna kulatost, zralost, exoticke tony, medove podtony, nicmene svezi, kyselinka uzasna, trva. Malo perli, ale uzasne. Za me: nadchlo!
Degorge 2010. Ca 6-7g.
75 PN, 15 Ch, 10 M
Tasting notes
The Carte d’Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a ne aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful and complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly. — 7 years ago
We had 7 bottles of wine last Sunday night , Kenzo, Nickel Nickel,Papillon ,screaming eagle, frank's family , opus one overture &2013 pahlmeyer. We all like this pahlmeyer propriety red the best. Even a big step better than screaming eagle. — 7 years ago
My favorite of the Cru Beaujolais and a love affair I've had ever since I first tasted M-A-V with age to it.
Not a loud bimbo that'll blind you for one night but rather an interesting soft-spoken, well-mannered girl with secrets and someone you'd want to have by your side and enjoy for the rest of your days.
Did I mention that I love Moulin-À-Vent...?? — 8 years ago
17.5 showing some brown, but still M intense. Powerful, good rich fruit, still M+ tannin, v long. Delicious! One more left. — 10 years ago
Gabby
At opus tasting - still a bit young but smells amazing! Red fruit, rose petals ☺️ — a month ago