This brick house of a wine shows plenty of Pauillac-like hints of iron dried currant and cigar smoke but also has layers of Chilean loam blackberry plum spice and minerals. A powerful performance in a powerful vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2005 through 2012. 15000 cases made. –JM

Lots of graphite, blackberry and sandalwood aromas follow through to a medium body with medium tannins, a creamy texture and a slightly fluid palate. Still there and delicious. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 27% carmenere and 3% cabernet franc. Drink now.

The 2001 Almaviva remains youthful. Its color is dark ruby/purple and the bouquet features pain grille violets leather coffee blackberry and black currant. On the palate the wine is balanced and elegantly styled with excellent depth and concentration. The ripe tannins are well concealed and will support another 3-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well through 2030. There is no doubt that Almaviva merits its status as one of Chile's icon wines. Almaviva is a partnership of Bordeaux first-growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and Concha y Toro. Made in the style of top of the line Pauillac the blend is typically 73% Cabernet Sauvignon 22-23% Carmenere (a very close relative of Merlot) and 4-5% Cabernet Franc. It spends 18 months in new French oak and is bottled unfined and unfiltered.Various importers. Almaviva is sold through the Bordeaux network in the same way as Chateau Mouton-Rothschild.