At a glance

Producer

Viña Almaviva

Region

Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, with Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$150-$190 USD (release, 2024 retail global average)

Tasting profile

Concentrated blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate, subtle florals and spice. Mouthcoating, vibrant, long finish.

Evolution: Primary fruit to develop secondary notes of tobacco, leather, pencil lead, earthy spices, and forest floor with age.

At peak: Layered complexity, seamless integration, silky texture, signature Puente Alto mineral core.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus; excellent freshness for balance and longevity

Tannins

High, ripe, finely polished tannin profile

Alcohol

Medium to high (~14.5% ABV typical for the cuvée and vintage)

Aging potential

Exceptional; built for 15–20+ years of development

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2038

Optimal window

2025 to 2042

Current status

Young and ageworthy; just entering drinking window but highly cellarworthy.

Current condition

Structured tannin, vibrant freshness, primary-dark fruit, serious but approachable with decanting.

2021 is a cool, classical vintage in Maipo’s Puente Alto. Almaviva 2021 is marked by freshness and structure, balancing exuberant fruit and refined minerality. The blend’s pedigree and the estate’s renowned élevage predict a graceful 15–20-year cellaring arc, peaking as tannins resolve and complexity unfolds.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted high-quality beef (ribeye, tenderloin), rack of lamb, duck breast, or aged hard cheeses. Decanting recommended for young bottles.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has high tannins and is still relatively young, which can benefit from aeration to soften the tannins and enhance its aromatic profile.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Integrated pest management, responsible water use (drip irrigation, Andes snowmelt), precision viticulture, local community programs, reduction of chemical inputs, advances in eco-friendly packaging (lightweight bottles, recycled materials where possible). Renewable energy initiatives at facility but not fully converted.

Viña Almaviva pursues certified sustainable agriculture (not organic), emphasizing soil conservation and water stewardship, crucial in Puente Alto's alluvial terroir near Santiago. Packaging and winery operations have adopted eco-lighter bottles and energy-saving technologies, with ongoing improvements but not yet best-in-class (score 10). Not certified organic or biodynamic; integrated pest management minimizes, but does not eliminate, agrochemical use. Social responsibility and worker conditions are strong. Carbon emissions from global export are notable but typical for New World icons.