Almaviva Epu 2021
Almaviva Epu 2021 is a dry, full-bodied red from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot (Maipo Valley, Chile), in the rich, smooth reds style. Tannins are moderate and acidity fresh; oak influence is noticeable. Good with steak, lamb, barbecue, burgers. Drink now or within 15 years (to about 2041). No need to decant. Critic score 94/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £53.50 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Valey Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Bledsoe Family Winery · Washington | £48.88 | |||
| Edi Simcic Duet Lex 2021 Edi Simcic · Primorska | £42.50 | |||
| Seven Hills Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Seven Hills · Washington | £37.04 | |||
| Meerlust Rubicon 2023 Meerlust · Stellenbosch | £32.10 |
Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant, but best to open it an hour before service. Founded in 1997, Viña Almaviva is an iconic Chilean winery born from the collaboration of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and Don Alfonso Larrain of Viña Concha y Toro, with the aim of producing wines that combine Chilean terroirs with the style and expertise of great French winemaking. Epu 2021 is a blend composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with additions of Carmenère and Merlot. The grapes are selected and harvested in a vineyard on the Puente Alto estate in the upper Maipo Valley. Here, the vines benefit from an exceptional terroir with a dry Mediterranean climate, strong day-night temperature variations, and gravelly soils, which favor optimal ripening of the grapes while maintaining remarkable freshness. After vinification, the wine ages for a year in one-year-old French oak barrels. The result is an elegant red, a faithful expression of its Puente Alto terroir, revealing a brilliant ruby color in the glass. Its aromatic profile is fresh and expressive, with lively notes of cherry, blackberry, dark fig, and currant interspersed with hints of vanilla, tea, and earth. On the palate, it is soft, fresh, and juicy, with a smooth texture and silky tannins. The finish is long and persistent. Try it with lamb or grilled beef steak.