Vina Almaviva Red Wine 2022

Vina Almaviva Red Wine 2022 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux-style blend from Puente Alto, Chile, bottled at 15% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 96 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, reviewed by Matthew Luczy, affirming its place among South America's most respected red wines.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile  |  Vintage: 2022  |  Producer: Baron Philippe de Rothschild & Viña Concha y Toro Joint Venture

Production & Heritage

Almaviva was established in 1997 as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild — the Bordeaux family behind Château Mouton Rothschild — and Viña Concha y Toro, Chile's most prominent wine producer. The estate sits at roughly 650 meters elevation in Puente Alto, where rocky, loamy clay alluvial soils provide natural drainage and contribute notable minerality. The 2022 blend comprises 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, vinified in gravity-fed tanks to handle the fruit gently, hand-sorted before fermentation, and aged 20 months in 70% new French oak barrels. An underground drip irrigation system allows precise control over vine hydration, a detail that helps concentrate flavor even in warmer vintages.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with brooding, dark cassis and ripe blackberries before revealing layers of lavender, dried herbs, and roasted pepper. Underneath, subtle notes of graphite and licorice lend a savory, mineral-edged complexity.

Taste: The entry is frank and juicy, immediately presenting concentrated blackcurrant and wild strawberry. The mid-palate builds with dense, luscious fruit layered alongside cedar, vanilla, and walnut. At its peak, the wine shows striking opulence balanced by a bracing thread of fresh acidity that keeps the richness in check.

Finish: Long and layered, the finish delivers smooth, refined tannins that remain firm but supple. Lingering notes of cocoa, menthol, and herbal flourishes persist well after the last sip.

How to Drink Almaviva 2022

This wine is built for still, quiet attention — serve it in a large-bowled glass at around 16–18°C after decanting for at least an hour to allow its concentration to unfurl. Its structured tannins and acidity also make it a compelling partner in food-driven settings. A classic Bordeaux-style pairing with rack of lamb highlights the wine's cedar and herbal notes. A grilled ribeye with chimichurri mirrors the wine's savory pepper and herb character. A slow-braised short rib matches the density and opulence of the palate without overwhelming it.

Best For

• Cellaring for special milestone occasions — the structure supports aging well beyond a decade
• Gifting a serious wine collector or Bordeaux enthusiast
• Anchoring a tasting of top-tier Chilean reds alongside Don Melchor and Seña
• Pairing with a thoughtfully prepared red meat dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Almaviva 2022 taste like? Almaviva 2022 is dense and juicy, dominated by concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry fruit layered with cedar, vanilla, cocoa, and a savory underpinning of graphite and licorice. The tannins are smooth yet firm, balanced by bright acidity and a long, herbal-tinged finish.

How does Almaviva 2022 compare to Opus One? Both are iconic joint-venture Bordeaux-style blends from the New World, but Almaviva leans into the riper, more concentrated fruit profile characteristic of Puente Alto's warm climate and includes a significant proportion of Carménère (23%), a grape virtually absent from Napa Valley. Opus One typically shows a more restrained, polished Napa Cabernet profile at a lower ABV, while Almaviva at 15% ABV delivers greater density and opulence.

Is Almaviva 2022 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it is designed as a contemplative, food-optional red best enjoyed from a proper wine glass after decanting. Its layered complexity rewards patient, attentive sipping over the course of an evening.

Where is Almaviva made? Almaviva is produced at the estate's winery in Puente Alto, a prestigious sub-region within the Maipo Valley of central Chile. The vineyard sits at approximately 650 meters elevation on alluvial soils at the foot of the Andes.

What foods pair well with Almaviva 2022? Rack of lamb with rosemary complements its herbal and cedar notes. Grilled ribeye steak echoes its savory depth. Slow-braised short ribs match the wine's density. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego play well against its tannin structure. Dark chocolate desserts highlight the cocoa undertones on the finish.

What sizes does Almaviva 2022 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Almaviva 2022 worth the price? Almaviva positions as Chile's ultra-premium tier, comparable in ambition and critical reception to first-growth Bordeaux and top Napa Cabernets. With 96 points from Wine Advocate and a pedigree rooted in the Rothschild–Concha y Toro partnership, it represents strong value relative to similarly scored wines from Bordeaux or Napa Valley.

Why Almaviva 2022?

The 96-point score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate places the 2022 vintage among the estate's highest-rated releases, confirming that this is not simply riding on name recognition. The inclusion of 23% Carménère — a variety that has become Chile's signature red grape — gives Almaviva a flavor identity that no Bordeaux or Napa blend can replicate, layering savory roasted pepper and herbal complexity into a Cabernet-dominant frame. Gravity-fed vinification and 20 months in predominantly new French oak deliver the concentration and polish expected at this level without masking the site's mineral terroir. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a world-class Bordeaux-style blend with genuine regional character, Almaviva 2022 is one of the most compelling arguments Chile has ever put in a bottle.