Almaviva 1996

Plum red with a slight terracotta tint around the edges. Perfumed with floral aromas and notes of smoky tobacco and loam. Dried rose petals and ripe plum evolve toward resin and leather. The whole is enveloped in aromas of fig conserves and bay leaf. The attack is silky and balanced with nice, fresh, supple tannins. Dried flowers, pine bark and forest undergrowth. A very harmonious and ethereal wine with a long lasting and smooth finish. A wonderful vintage.

The partnership of Philippine de Rothschild of Mouton-Rothschild and Concho y Toro produced this exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine (there is also Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the blend), which takes its name from a character in The Marriage of Figaro. With wine making assistance from Mouton’s team of experts, this estate has produced a saturated ruby/purple-colored wine with elegant, complex notes of cassis, pain grille, cedar, and tobacco. Soft, rich, and multidimensional, this full-bodied Almaviva 1996 possesses exquisite complexity and a layered texture with no hard edges. Drinkable already, it promises to improve for 7-8 years, and last for 12 or more. This wine is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 1. This wine may appear expensive vis a vis the run of the mill juice coming out of Chile, but in today’s marketplace, this effort is sensibly priced. Serious wine tasters should give it a try.