Viña Almaviva : Epu 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for Epu 2024 from Viña Almaviva

Tasting

Colour
This wine displays a deep ruby-red colour.

Nose
The bouquet is both intense and elegant. It releases fresh notes of blackcurrant and red fruit, which then deepen with subtle hints of vanilla, earth and liquorice.

Palate
The palate offers a voluptuous texture, supported by exceptionally fine tannins. The whole is harmonious and juicy, revealing a perfect balance between fully ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. The long finish lingers on delectable notes.

Food and wine pairings
This fine wine will pair beautifully with roasted or grilled red meats, such as beef fillet or rack of lamb. It will also make a superb match for slow-cooked dishes in sauce or aged hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring
Epu 2024 has a tannic structure that gives it excellent ageing potential, while being carefully crafted to be very approachable from a young age.

The elegance and richness of a Chilean wine by Viña Almaviva

The estate
Founded in 1997 as a partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA and Viña Concha y Toro SA, Viña Almaviva is a pioneering brand in Chile. Located in the Maipo Valley, the estate covers around 65 hectares, complemented by a further 14 hectares in Peumo. Now jointly run by Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Rafael Guilisasti Gana, the property applies the Bordeaux château model to South American terroir. It stands out for producing fine wines that combine French expertise with the exceptional Chilean climate.

The vineyard
The vines thrive at an altitude of 650 metres, at the foot of the Andes mountain range. The Puente Alto terroir is characterised by poor, well-drained alluvial soils, made up of clay loam on the surface and a high proportion of stones deeper down. The semi-arid Mediterranean climate benefits from cool Andean breezes at night, creating a wide diurnal temperature range that is ideal for ripening the berries. The Peumo plots, where the climate is slightly warmer, are dedicated to growing Carménère.

The vintage
The 2024 vintage in the Central Valley brought an end to a long period of drought in Chile. Under the influence of El Niño, rainfall was more abundant and well distributed, replenishing the soil's water reserves in winter and early spring. After a cooler-than-usual spring that delayed the growing cycle, the summer brought above-average temperatures. These conditions allowed for slow, even ripening. Finally, welcome rains in May helped the vines recover without disrupting the final stages of ripening.

Vinification and ageing
The harvest took place from 25 March to 3 May for the main plots, and from 2 to 10 May for the Carménère. Epu 2024 is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 10% of which are new.

Grape varieties
80% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Carménère
2% Merlot
2% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot