Description
Sena Aconcagua Valley 2017
Sena Aconcagua Valley 2017 comes from Chile, Aconcagua Valley, and is the flagship wine of the joint venture between US Napa Valley estate Robert Mondavi and Chilean Errazuriz family (Chadwick family), known for its high quality and international recognition. The 2017 vintage is regarded as one of the outstanding vintages in Chile; this Sena displays layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, graphite, black cherry and hints of coffee. It has full body, ripe and refined tannins, elegant yet powerful structure, with the classic Aconcagua Valley style balanced with modern finesse.
Vinification & Style
Sena is produced in Chile, Aconcagua Valley, under AOC Aconcagua Valley, and the estate is a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Errazuriz family (Chadwick family). The 2017 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 Aconcagua 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 2017 vintage.
Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, graphite and hints of coffee and cocoa — a rich, complex nose with Aconcagua Valley's characteristic fruity elegance.
Palate: Full-bodied, 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 Sena'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: 98 points — "The 2017 Sena shows ripe black fruit, cedar and spice, full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Aconcagua Valley performances."
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 96 points — "The 2017 Sena shows sweet black fruit, cedar and graphite, full body, dense and silky texture, one of the most beautiful wines of the vintage."
Wine Enthusiast: 95 points — "The 2017 Sena shows tobacco, underbrush, assorted spices, blackberries, wild herbs, and espresso, full body, refined tannins and solid structure, one of the more consistent Aconcagua Valley performances."
Decanter: 96 points — "The 2017 Sena shows generous fruit, smooth tannins, balanced structure, one of the more consistent Aconcagua Valley performances."
Overall, the wine is viewed as one of the most attractive value Aconcagua Valleys in the 2017 Sena 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 2017 vintage in Chile's Aconcagua Valley is generally considered outstanding, and Sena in 2017 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 1995, and it is a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Errazuriz family (Chadwick family), known for high value and consistent quality.
Origin: Chile, Aconcagua Valley
Type: Red Wine
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, blended with Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and small amounts of Petit Verdot
ABV: 14%
Volume: 750ml
