Epu

EPU, the name of Almaviva's second wine, means "Two" in the language of the Mapuche, one of the main indigenous cultures of southern Chile. The symbol is a reference to the Tupu, an ornament which expresses fundamental aspects of the worldview of various ancient Andean civilisations.

A bordeaux style blend in which Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, Epu is made from grapes grown in Almaviva's own vineyards in the exceptional Puente Alto terroir. Modelled on the second wines of the most prestigious Bordeaux Chateaux, it is produced in limited quantities to the same exacting standards as Almaviva, born from the profound alliance between Baron Phillipe de Rothschild and Concha Y Toro. 10 years potential ageing.

2022

Wine Advocate 93: The 2022 Epu leads with a poised yet charmingly rustic nose of ripe red fruits flanked by herbaceous, leathery accents. The palate is concentrated and full-bodied, with an opulent, forward richness that transitions to a decedent, chocolate-tinged finish of rich tannins and a lingering herbal, menthol-laced conclusion. A well-made balance between style and place, this serves as a pleasurable and accessible introduction to the more poised, nuanced Almaviva. It's a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged 12 months in 10% new French oak.

James Suckling 95: Refined sweet tobacco, black olives and hints of paprika, cedar, iron and anchovy-like savoriness. Refined sweet berries on the palate with a lovely savoriness. Medium-bodied and restrained, plush and generous, with fine tannins and a lengthy finish. 84% cabernet sauvignon, 10% carmenere, 3% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drink or hold.

2023

Wine Advocate 94: The current release of their second wine is the 2020 Epu. It's selected from the same terroir and vineyard in Puente Alto, one of the most reputed places for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile, but from the younger vines (five to 20 years old) and harvested a little earlier to preserve acidity and fruit. In the warm and dry 2020 vintage, the wine was produced with a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Carmenere, 5% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, usually higher in Cabernet and lower in Carmenere than Almaviva. It has red ripe berries, the textbook blackberries and cassis and some creamy oak. It's ripe at 14.8% alcohol and has mellow acidity, good freshness and balance, with a pH of 3.71 and 4.8 grams of acidity (tartaric). It matured for 12 months in French barriques, 10% new and 90% second use. The wine has a bright nose with a clean note of baked "morrón" peppers intermixed with red berry compote. It has a velvety palate with the luxurious texture of the modern Bordeaux, with abundant, slightly dusty tannins. It's approachable and round but should reward some time in bottle. This is a pretty serious Epu. 75,000 bottles produced. It was bottled at the end of 2021 and the first days of 2022. This is the second vintage sold through the Place de Bordeaux négociant system.

James Suckling 94: This is a little fruitier and more vibrant than previous vintages, with sweet berries, cassis, fine herbs and roasted white sesame seeds on the nose. Fine tannins with sweet berries and a very smooth, refined finish. A medium-bodied, approachable, balanced Epu from a hot vintage. 10% new barrels. Already very approachable, but will age nicely in the next few years. Drink or hold.

Vinous 93: The 2023 Blend EPU comes from Maipo. Deep garnet in hue, it delivers ripe fruit aromas of blackberry, dried plum, a touch of cassis and violet. Rich and voluminous, with plush tannins and a hint of talc, the palate is juicy and enveloping. Its freshness balances the mature profile. 14.5% alcohol.

Decanter 91: Red bell peppers on the nose - so clear - really unmistakeable and so pronounced. Shiny and glossy, still more pepper flavours on the palate with bright red cherries and some creamy milk chocolate too. Relatively compact still, but there’s finesse and lovely cooling freshness all the way through with a mint, aniseed finish. I don't get the alcohol here. Well balanced and presented. 3% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. Director Manuel Louzada, winemaker Michel Friou.