Maipo

Viña Doña Javiera has a history of winemaking that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The family was one of the first to recognise the potential of the Maipo Valley and begun planting vines there in 1942. Located at El Monte, 50 kilometres west of Santiago, with exposure to cooling Pacific breezes, this vineyard is blessed with a superb climate for viticulture.

Doña Javiera has produced a smooth, plummy wine for us in 2015. Sweet raspberries and a hint of smoke add to the damson notes on the nose. The palate has good concentration with macerated red cherries coming to the fore alongside bramble fruit. The wine is warming but a leafy freshness balances out the whole. This is an easy-drinking, exceptionally fruit-driven wine which is eminently drinkable.

William Fèvre, who is the largest owner of Chablis Grand Cru vineyards, first became involved in Chile in 1989. His reasoning was twofold: firstly, he was frustrated with the authorities in Chablis who were restricting him from extending his plantings of Chardonnay and secondly, he was attracted by the sheer quality of the fruit that is to be found in the best Chilean vineyards. In 1991 he joined forces with local producer Victor Pino and Vina William Fèvre was established.

Antis is the flagship wine; it has a definite Bordeaux personality but with a Chilean twist. The blend is almost unique, and gives an enticing nose of blackcurrants, blackcurrant leaf and rosehip syrup. This wine is very full-bodied, with all the ripe fruit ably supported by svelte French oak (18 months in 100 percent new casks).

A deep, intense and attractive ruby red color. The bouquet is pure and forward, revealing clean aromas of blackberries, blackcurrant and licorice, associated with subtle notes of vanilla, dark chocolate,incense and spices.

The mouth feel is generous with round, concentrated and refined tannins, underlining a plenitude of ripe fruit. The wine is polished, elegant and focused, ending in a long, dense and fleshy finish. The overall result is a complex and powerful wine, persistent, layered and well balanced.

Dark ruby red, with attractive purple tones. The nose, elegant and layered, reveals pure and delicate aromas of ripe cassis, blackberries and wild strawberries, nicely associated with vanilla, spices and coffee beans. The mouth shows outstanding balance, great acidity, elegance, freshness and exceptional persistence. The tannins are ripe, round, well condensed and silky, enhancing the dense and fleshy character of the year. A brilliant wine, constant and precise in its character, all in finesse and harmony.

Almaviva was established in 1996 by Baron Philippe de Rothschild (of Ch. Mouton Rothschild) and Concha y Toro. Their aim was to create the first Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé equivalent in Chile. With 40 hectares of Concha y Toro's best Puente Alto vineyards and the steady hand of Patrick Leon (winemaker at Mouton and Opus One), the results have been nothing short of spectacular.

The nose is elegant and multi-layered, revealing a generous bouquet of ripe cassis, wild berries and violets, with underlying notes of vanillin, espresso bean and dark mocha. The palate is packed full of rich and dense fruit, yet there is a cool definition and character to the wine. The tannins are perfectly balanced and ripe. The cool growing season has no doubt balanced out the rich character of fruit with a real sense of harmony and balance.

Almaviva was established in 1996 by Baron Philippe de Rothschild. With the steady hand of Patrick Leon (winemaker at Mouton and Opus One), the results have been nothing short of spectacular. The old world savoir faire has been put to good use to tame the exuberance of the ripe Cabernet Sauvignon which dominates the wine. The 2007 is particularly successful; notes of cassis plum and damson, held in check by gravely tannins and a sophisticated structure which could come straight from one of the better properties in Pauillac.
(Simon Field MW - BBR Buyer)

Rich, intoxicating, complex and exotic! Really restrained for a New World blockbuster, this has the sophisticated complexity and hedonistic creamy finish of its founding father, Ch. Mouton-Rothschild. A very rewarding two minute finish to boot. Not the cheapest South American wine but the best in my opinion.
(Simon Staples - Berrys' Fine Wine Director) Rich, intoxicating, complex and exotic! Really restrained for a New World blockbuster, this has the sophisticated complexity and hedonistic creamy finish of its founding father, Ch. Mouton-Rothschild. A very rewarding two minute finish to boot. Not the cheapest South American wine but the best in my opinion.
(Simon Staples - Berrys' Fine Wine Director)

Located in the Maipo Valley, in Chile's central zone, Puente Alto was recognized over twenty years ago as offering ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. It is here that 85 hectares have been reserved exclusively for Almaviva, the joint venture of Mouton- Rothschild and Concha y Toro. Characteristic features of Puente Alto include its stony soil, cold, rainy winters, and the hot days and cool nights of its summers. The Almaviva vineyard is tended with meticulous care from pruning to harvest. A revolutionary underground drip irrigation system has been installed, making it possible to deliver the precise amount of water that each vine needs with a constant concern for quality. 

2009 was an exceptionally easy year for the region - a perfect flowering, a hot and dry summer, cool nights and a healthy, juicy harvest have made for what the property describe as a pure, focussed, elegant wine with lovely, smooth tannins, a silky texture and exceptional balance.

2014
This is a wine that simultaneously defines elegance and power. Complex aromas of blueberry, black currant, and black licorice. Full-body yet refined and beautiful with stunning length and complexity. It has a transparency that shows such greatness and beauty. Half the normal production. Has an energy and brightness. Chile's first perfect wine and well deserved. Better in 2020. 100 points, James Suckling, Sept16

2012
This is a superb red with currant, white truffle, sandalwood and stone. Full body, chewy tannins and a powerful finish. Turns to iodine. Gravel and hints of licorice too. Very, very long. This IS the La Mission Haut Brion of Chile. A phenomenal cabernet sauvignon. Needs at least five years to soften. 800 cases. Wait until 2018. 97 points, James Suckling, Oct14

2010
A racy cabernet with plum and dark berry character and hints of chocolate. It's full-bodied, with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Plenty of hazelnut and cherry character in the aftertaste. Give it three to four years of bottle age before opening. 95 points, James Suckling, Jun14

Deep and intense, with bags of Cabernet blue fruit character, this, along with Viña Seña, is proof of the potential in Chile for fine wine production. A touch of toast frames the rich, cassis and blueberry fruit on the palate, with ripe tannins adding structure. You could easily enjoy this now with ample decanting, but it would be best cellared for a few years.
Fergus Stewart - Private Account Manager