The 2018 Almaviva Proprietary Blend from Puente Alto in Chile’s Maipo Valley is a distinguished red wine, crafted by the renowned producer Almaviva. This vintage is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Carmenère (sourced from Peumo), 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine, sealed with a cork, boasts an alcohol content of 15.0%.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine a score of 96, highlighting the exceptional quality of the 2018 vintage. The review notes that 2018 was a cooler year with more rain, leading to a later budding and ripening of the grapes, which contributed to a balanced harvest. The wine matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, 73% of which were new. The Advocate described it as "a solid, well-built and seamless Almaviva, with clout and balance."
James Suckling offered an even higher score of 98, praising the wine's structure and complexity. He described it as "a solid and structured red with blackcurrant, herb, tobacco and mussel-shell character," noting its full-bodied nature and fine-textured tannins that provide a long, chewy finish. Suckling suggested that while the wine is already beautiful for a young wine, it will be even better after 2025.
Decanter also scored the wine at 96, commending its confident complexity and fresh, powerful spicy notes of tobacco and grilled coffee beans, complemented by cool blueberry fruits. The review emphasized the brilliance of winemaker Michel Friou in crafting a wine that expands outward through the palate.
Wine Spectator gave the wine a slightly lower score of 93 but still recognized its elegance and richness. The review mentioned "roasted berry and cherry compote flavors that show plenty of dried herbal accents," along with firm tannins and a savory edge with hints of mocha java. Wine Spectator recommended drinking the wine now through 2026.
Overall, the 2018 Almaviva Proprietary Blend is a highly regarded wine, celebrated for its balance, complexity, and potential for aging.