4th Saturday Brown Bagger (J&L's): Double blind. Dark color with notes of bell pepper, black fruit and spice. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and flavors of plum, black fruit, dried herbs and spice. Excellent, but young. (J&L)
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M+ intensity of ripe red cherry, raspberry, red plum, black plum, blackberry, blueberry, and well-integrated oak flavors of smoke, baking spice, vanilla, and dark espresso grounds. Soft texture. M+ super fine-grained velvety tannins. Almost five years old. Would also benefit from more complexity that will come with age. Depending on points of comparison, the QPR is there, if not just a touch low.
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Tasted this at the Almaviva Wine Dinner organised by Infinite Wines at the Nest @ One Farrer.
Made up of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Carménère, 5% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Was told that Epu means two in the language of the Mapuche, one of the main indigenous cultures of southern Chile.
Dark purple in colour, with fresh black fruits and herbaceous notes. On the palate, the wine appears to be diluted and lacks concentration. Some tar, fresh leather and chewy tannins.
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The second wine of the legendary Almaviva, I could not resist tasting this on a bit early even though its only had 4 years of bottle aging time. Quite a complex wine, even though it is fruit-driven at this point, and has at least 3-5 years ahead of it!
A classical blend of 84% Cab, 13% Carmenere, 2% Merlot, 1% CF. Concentrated with aromas of dark berries, and then red cherries coming through as well. Medium length finish.
The oak and tannins are not perfectly rounded, but I could already feel that the tannins were increasingly fine, and the mouth-feel of sweet spices is very rounded. I think this is a wine which will be even more balanced after 2-3 days, will soon see!
After enjoying the Almaviva 2015 (I only found out later that JS had rated it 100 points) so much back in Sept last year, I knew I had to find a better value and earlier drinking alternative - So when I was offered this EPU, or Almaviva's second wine, I was intrigued.
Background: The name EPU, comes from the Mapudungun language, meaning "number two" in the language of this Chilean tribe.
This Almaviva estate 2nd wine comes from the estate's youngest vines. EPU has some characteristics of Almaviva, thanks to the very rocky terroir, wet and icy winters and the very hot summers.
Terroir: Located on the north bank of the Maipo river, in the heights of the Maipo valley (650 m elevation), where the town of Puente Alto is. It is here at the foot of the Andes Mountains that the Philippine Baroness de Rothschild and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle of Viña Concha y Toro S.A. signed a cooperation agreement in 1997 to give birth to Almaviva (and EPU).
Release: It seems that this 2019 is the real first international release of the second wine, having previously been mainly sold in South America only due to low volume availability. Only 70,000 bottles produced, and I have one more remaining in my cellar - Won't be opening this until 2025-26.
Weather: 2019 is described as a very dry vintage, with slightly higher alcohol than 2018 and with lower acidity. Even though it is a second wine, the winemakers wanted to distinguish this from the Almaviva, hence Robert Parker's team (2021) described "Epu is perhaps a little more classical, perhaps this is more Bordeaux and Almaviva is more Chilean"!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 26 Apr 2023
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Red and dark berries as well as some cherries. Oak and still a bit lactic. Same on the palate, good acidity, a touch of sweetness, sticky but beautiful tannin, mild and friendly and a good length.
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Very Bordeaux like bouquet on a classic vintage. Minerals, blackberries, ink, tobacco, bell pepper and toasted clove on the nose. Palate is very rich and smooth with ripe and concentrated fruits on a bed of sweet spices and tannins. More new world in the mouth. Full-bodied and rounded structure. Probably lacking the freshness and clean layers compared to the Bordeaux counterparts. The texture for this young wine is wonderful, carrying it nicely from entry to a deep and lingering finish. Tannins are prominent for now. Decant for an hour before drinking if you are opening a bottle now. Otherwise, letting this age for 3 more years is highly recommended for better harmony. 92-93 pts
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Surprisingly good value. From memory, this had dark cherries with fresh acidity. Was extremely pleasurable to drink by itself but can imagine pairing this perfectly with a steak.
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Opened and followed for 5 hours. Very fruit forward and good tannin and acidity to balance the wine initially. After about 2 hours, the acidity started overpowering the fruit. Not my cup of tea (or glass of wine) in this state. Open and drink within 2 hours.
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Although I’ve enjoyed a number of vintages of the “Grand Vin”, this is my first experience with the “second label”. A bit hesitant this might still be in the “youthful” phase, but at 3-1/2+ years, this is drinking surprisingly well. Decanted for about 45 minutes prior to sampling. Although the fruits are still relatively primary, there’s pronounced aromas and flavors of loamy, charred black soil, iron ore, black raspberry, black cherry, pie crust, vanilla, and very faint tobacco. Structure is developing, with oak, tannin and acids needing additional time to mesh. Huge finish. Love the depth and youthful intensity, balance is in flux, developing complexity, and a lengthy finish. Recommend an hour decant and food, but this is generally ready; should drink well for another 5-8 years. At half the price of the “Grand Vin”, this is an excellent value at ~$50 USD.
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My first contact with this wine ... short impressions only. First bottle of six. Very fruit driven, dark, intense, spicy, but not as complex as I had hoped for. Expected more at this price range ... hold for now ( imo ).
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3/23/2024 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (J&L's): Double blind. Dark color with notes of bell pepper, black fruit and spice. Full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and flavors of plum, black fruit, dried herbs and spice. Excellent, but young. (J&L)
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3/3/2024 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice bordeaux blend and quite youthful. Would give this a few years.
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1/1/2024 - J B McDonald Likes this wine: 89 Points
Needs time.
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12/12/2023 - BottleScholar wrote:
M+ intensity of ripe red cherry, raspberry, red plum, black plum, blackberry, blueberry, and well-integrated oak flavors of smoke, baking spice, vanilla, and dark espresso grounds. Soft texture. M+ super fine-grained velvety tannins. Almost five years old. Would also benefit from more complexity that will come with age. Depending on points of comparison, the QPR is there, if not just a touch low.
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5/24/2023 - stayhappy21 wrote: 86 Points
Tasted this at the Almaviva Wine Dinner organised by Infinite Wines at the Nest @ One Farrer.
Made up of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Carménère, 5% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Was told that Epu means two in the language of the Mapuche, one of the main indigenous cultures of southern Chile.
Dark purple in colour, with fresh black fruits and herbaceous notes. On the palate, the wine appears to be diluted and lacks concentration. Some tar, fresh leather and chewy tannins.
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4/26/2023 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 88 Points
The second wine of the legendary Almaviva, I could not resist tasting this on a bit early even though its only had 4 years of bottle aging time. Quite a complex wine, even though it is fruit-driven at this point, and has at least 3-5 years ahead of it!
A classical blend of 84% Cab, 13% Carmenere, 2% Merlot, 1% CF. Concentrated with aromas of dark berries, and then red cherries coming through as well. Medium length finish.
The oak and tannins are not perfectly rounded, but I could already feel that the tannins were increasingly fine, and the mouth-feel of sweet spices is very rounded. I think this is a wine which will be even more balanced after 2-3 days, will soon see!
After enjoying the Almaviva 2015 (I only found out later that JS had rated it 100 points) so much back in Sept last year, I knew I had to find a better value and earlier drinking alternative - So when I was offered this EPU, or Almaviva's second wine, I was intrigued.
Background:
The name EPU, comes from the Mapudungun language, meaning "number two" in the language of this Chilean tribe.
This Almaviva estate 2nd wine comes from the estate's youngest vines. EPU has some characteristics of Almaviva, thanks to the very rocky terroir, wet and icy winters and the very hot summers.
Terroir:
Located on the north bank of the Maipo river, in the heights of the Maipo valley (650 m elevation), where the town of Puente Alto is. It is here at the foot of the Andes Mountains that the Philippine Baroness de Rothschild and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle of Viña Concha y Toro S.A. signed a cooperation agreement in 1997 to give birth to Almaviva (and EPU).
Release:
It seems that this 2019 is the real first international release of the second wine, having previously been mainly sold in South America only due to low volume availability. Only 70,000 bottles produced, and I have one more remaining in my cellar - Won't be opening this until 2025-26.
Weather:
2019 is described as a very dry vintage, with slightly higher alcohol than 2018 and with lower acidity. Even though it is a second wine, the winemakers wanted to distinguish this from the Almaviva, hence Robert Parker's team (2021) described "Epu is perhaps a little more classical, perhaps this is more Bordeaux and Almaviva is more Chilean"!
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
26 Apr 2023
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4/13/2023 - Zweder Likes this wine: 92 Points
Red and dark berries as well as some cherries. Oak and still a bit lactic. Same on the palate, good acidity, a touch of sweetness, sticky but beautiful tannin, mild and friendly and a good length.
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2/25/2023 - Psdycp wrote: 92 Points
Very Bordeaux like bouquet on a classic vintage. Minerals, blackberries, ink, tobacco, bell pepper and toasted clove on the nose. Palate is very rich and smooth with ripe and concentrated fruits on a bed of sweet spices and tannins. More new world in the mouth. Full-bodied and rounded structure. Probably lacking the freshness and clean layers compared to the Bordeaux counterparts. The texture for this young wine is wonderful, carrying it nicely from entry to a deep and lingering finish. Tannins are prominent for now. Decant for an hour before drinking if you are opening a bottle now. Otherwise, letting this age for 3 more years is highly recommended for better harmony. 92-93 pts
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1/24/2023 - Happytoro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Surprisingly good value. From memory, this had dark cherries with fresh acidity. Was extremely pleasurable to drink by itself but can imagine pairing this perfectly with a steak.
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12/3/2022 - Sp@rk Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened and followed for 5 hours. Very fruit forward and good tannin and acidity to balance the wine initially. After about 2 hours, the acidity started overpowering the fruit. Not my cup of tea (or glass of wine) in this state. Open and drink within 2 hours.
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12/3/2022 - wmccone54 wrote: 92 Points
Although I’ve enjoyed a number of vintages of the “Grand Vin”, this is my first experience with the “second label”. A bit hesitant this might still be in the “youthful” phase, but at 3-1/2+ years, this is drinking surprisingly well. Decanted for about 45 minutes prior to sampling. Although the fruits are still relatively primary, there’s pronounced aromas and flavors of loamy, charred black soil, iron ore, black raspberry, black cherry, pie crust, vanilla, and very faint tobacco. Structure is developing, with oak, tannin and acids needing additional time to mesh. Huge finish. Love the depth and youthful intensity, balance is in flux, developing complexity, and a lengthy finish. Recommend an hour decant and food, but this is generally ready; should drink well for another 5-8 years. At half the price of the “Grand Vin”, this is an excellent value at ~$50 USD.
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4/22/2022 - Mathijs81 Likes this wine: 90 Points
My first contact with this wine ... short impressions only. First bottle of six.
Very fruit driven, dark, intense, spicy, but not as complex as I had hoped for.
Expected more at this price range ... hold for now ( imo ).
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3/12/2022 - Tekbassist Likes this wine: 91 Points
wonderful second wine with strong vanilla scent and dark fruit flavors. V good smokey finish！No decant needed.
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