Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

The estate is now owned by Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, a descendant of the Comte Lafond. Vines are aged from 25 to 35 years. The soil is a combination of clay, limestone and silica. Aromas of floral scents, delicate fruit notes and mineral tones. On the palate the wine is elegant with white flesh fruit and citrus flavors with tangy wet stone. Well balanced with acidity this wine finishes long with chalky notes. Very nice, consistent quality. — 6 years ago

Hannah Greensmith

9.8

The key to any de Ladoucette wine is quality – in the vineyard, the winery and the bottle. The Baron de Ladoucette is dedicated to maintaining exceptionally high standards throughout his portfolio. His wines are made in the state-of-the art winery within the landmark Château du Nozet, and de Ladoucette’s four Loire Valley labels: Pouilly Fumé de Ladoucette, Comte Lafond, La Poussie, and Marc Bredif, are considered to be some of the finest examples of their type. — 12 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 14 Almaviva Cabernet is 68% Cabernet, 22% Carménère and 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vines are 38 years of age. The wine spent 18 months in 75% new oak. The nose shows some slight funk at first. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black cherry cola/licorice and dark florals. The M+ tannins are soft and a little sticky. The fruits are slightly candied in style. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, soft leather, crushed rocks, dark moist turned earth and dark fresh florals. The structure, length, tension, balance and finish are quiet beautiful. Producer history and notes...Almaviva began in 1997, as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. With the strengths of both families pedigree, they achieved international recognition with the the launch of their very first vintage. Their goal was to create the equivalent of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé in Chile. Patrick Leon is their Winemaker and also makes Opus One & Mouton Rothschild. Almaviva is located in the Maipo Valley in Chile's central zone. Puente Alto has ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Almaviva has 85 hectares. The climatic features of Puente Alto include its; stony soil, cold, rainy winters, and the hot days and cool nights of its summers. Maipo is considered Chile’s Napa Valley.
— 7 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

Alpine Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Petit Manseng? Super cool and surprising. Nice palate weight from the Chard, nervy herbal tension from the PB and PM. Captivating. Thanks @Patrick Ballow #OliverMcCrum — 9 years ago

Annette Franklin

9.4

Great again from Loire region. — 10 years ago