The 2015 Almaviva Proprietary Blend is a notable red wine from Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley, Chile. Comprising 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carménère, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it has garnered high praise from several professional reviewers. This wine, produced by Almaviva and sealed with a cork, has an alcohol content of 14.5%.
James Suckling awarded this wine a perfect score of 100 points, describing it as having "blackcurrant, flower, lead-pencil, and iodine aromas," with a "medium to full body with firm, polished tannins." He noted that the wine is "very young and solid," urging patience to truly appreciate its depth and structure, suggesting it be tried after 2025. Suckling highlighted its potential, stating, "There’s so much beneath it all," which contributed to it being named their Wine of the Year in 2018.
Wine Spectator's review, penned by K.M., gave it an impressive 95 points. They characterized the wine as "powerful, rich and full of juicy dark plum, cherry tart and berry compote flavors that are creamy and lush." The review also noted "hints of French roast and spice" that emerge midpalate, leading to a "long finish that is elegant and savory." They advised drinking it between now and 2023.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with Luis Gutiérrez as the reviewer, granted it a score of 93+. Gutiérrez emphasized the wine's "ripe and voluptuous" nature due to the dry and warm conditions of the 2015 vintage. He remarked on its "full body and sweet fruit on the finish" and noted the wine's "creamy and sleek" texture with "polished tannins." He found it more approachable than the 2014 vintage, attributing a "better balance" to the slightly higher yields and larger grapes of 2015.
Decanter's review, scoring it 96 points, praised the wine's structure and balance. The reviewer appreciated its "lovely wine, structured, intense but not tight, and beautifully balanced" character, highlighting flavors of "dark chocolate, cinnamon and sage" with "soft, smooth tannins." They commended its "freshness and grip" which suggests excellent potential for aging.
In summary, the 2015 Almaviva Proprietary Blend is a well-balanced and elegant wine, recognized for its depth, structure, and aging potential. It is highly recommended by top wine critics, with particularly high praise from James Suckling and Decanter.
