Description
Almaviva Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2021
Almaviva Baron Philippe de Rothschild 2021 comes from Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto, and is the flagship wine of the joint venture between French Bordeaux estate Baron Philippe de Rothschild (owner of Mouton Rothschild) and Chilean Concha y Toro, known for its high quality and international recognition. The 2021 vintage is regarded as one of the milder, more approachable vintages in Chile; this Almaviva displays layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee. It has medium-to-full body, ripe and refined tannins, elegant yet powerful structure, with the classic Maipo Valley style balanced with modern finesse.
Vinification & Style
Almaviva is produced in Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto, under AOC Maipo Valley, and the estate is a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro. The 2021 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant (around 74%), with Carmenere (around 19%), Cabernet Franc (around 5%) and small amounts of Petit Verdot (around 2%), reflecting the estate's commitment to Bordeaux-style varieties. The wine is matured in French oak for about 20 months, with around 70–73% new barrels, giving cedar, toast, vanilla and spice while retaining Maipo Valley's characteristic fruit richness, silkiness and fine line.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep ruby, intense and bright with a glossy sheen, reflecting the ripeness and concentration of the 2021 vintage.
Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite and hints of coffee and cocoa — a rich, complex nose with Maipo Valley's characteristic fruity elegance.
Palate: Medium-to-full body, with fresh black and red fruit, and ripe but still firm tannins; acidity keeps the fruit, wood and spice in balance, with a rounded texture. Mid-palate reveals cedar, tobacco, black pepper, cassis, graphite and a touch of coffee, giving a rich, elegant impression but with Almaviva's typical finesse.
Finish: Long, with black fruit, floral notes, cedar and spice, and tannins still present but beginning to soften; further bottle age will round it out further.
Reviews & Accolades
James Suckling: 96 points — "The 2021 Almaviva shows ripe black fruit, cedar and spice, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Maipo Valley performances."
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 95 points — "The 2021 Almaviva shows sweet black fruit, cedar and graphite, medium-to-full body, dense and silky texture, one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast: 94 points — "The 2021 Almaviva shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, medium-to-full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Maipo Valley performances."
Alexandre Ma: 94 points — "The 2021 Almaviva shows generous fruit, smooth tannins, balanced structure, one of the more consistent Maipo Valley performances."
Overall, the wine is viewed as one of the most attractive value Maipo Valleys in the 2021 Almaviva lineup, suitable for drinking now and for mid-term ageing (around 10–20 years), with further development of cedar, tobacco and ripe fruit complexity in the bottle.
Serving & Pairing
Decanting: 1–2 hours recommended at this stage.
Serving temperature: 16–18°C.
Food pairing (HK-friendly)
Red meats: Charcoal-grilled rib-eye, sirloin steak, black-pepper beef, braised beef short ribs, grilled lamb chops.
Chinese: Roast goose, soy-sauce chicken, soy-braised short ribs, oxtail stew, slow-braised beef brisket.
Cheese / charcuterie: Comté, mature Cheddar, Gruyère, cured ham, salami.
Special Info
The 2021 vintage in Chile's Maipo Valley is generally considered milder and more approachable, and Almaviva in 2021 has been described as elegant, balanced and fruit-forward, meaning it is drinkable now but will gain further complexity with further bottle age. The estate's history stretches back to 1997, and it is a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Concha y Toro, known for high value and consistent quality.
Origin: Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
Type: Red Wine
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, blended with Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and small amounts of Petit Verdot (depending on lot)
ABV: 14%
Volume: 750ml
