Seña, Red Blend, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2017

Overview of the Wine
In the early 1990s, Chile was just emerging into the international world of wine. However, Eduardo Chadwick, who had joined his father in the family wine business, Viña Errázuriz, in 1983, already knew from his extensive travels to the wine regions of the world that Chile’s land and climate were particularly suited for producing fine wines and had great potential. And when family friend and vintner Agustín Huneeus asked him to spend some time showing Robert Mondavi and his wife Margrit around the Chilean wine country, he was delighted to have the opportunity.

Robert Mondavi found a kindred spirit in young Eduardo Chadwick, who spent a week showing him around central Chile in 1991. They visited many wineries in the Aconcagua, Maipo, and Colchagua valleys.

By the time they were done, they were both convinced that Chile had all the potential that California had shown two decades earlier and that together they could make an outstanding wine—a true Icon—that could prove Chile’s world-class potential.

Winemakers
Robert Mondavi and Eduardo Chadwick

Grape / Blend
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 15% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot

Origin
Aconcagua Valley

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Very hot, low crop, very early season. Scented, intense wines with full tannic structure.

Hot and sunny days marked the 2017 season. Nevertheless, thanks to its privileged coastal location in the Aconcagua Valley -only 40 kilometers away from the Pacific Ocean - the cool breezes that blow in moderated the temperatures. This combination of factors allowed Seña to reach perfect ripeness with a unique balance between concentration and power alongside tension, elegance and freshness.

Winter rains fully replenished our soils and a dry spring with average temperatures well above our records enabled an early bud break. Continuing with this trend, flowering also came in advance and a perfectly homogenous veraison began 15 days prior to historical dates, given the higher heat summation recorded from October to January.

This, together with low yields, set the stage for an early harvest that got ahead 20 days compared to historical dates, which was fundamental to preserve the freshness and elegance of Seña.

99 Points - James Suckling
The aromas of blackberries, cedar, sandalwood and black tea are compelling. Black olives. Rosemary and sage undertones. Full-bodied, rich and powerful Seña with impressive and powerful tannins, yet harmony and balance. Fruit-forward. Lightly chewy. Fresh and energetic wine in a hot year. Broad-shouldered.

96 Points - Wine Advocate
They explained how the 2017 Seña was produced with "grapes that were handpicked in the morning and transported to the winery in 12-kilogram boxes for a careful inspection on a double sorting table. The grapes fermented in stainless steel tanks at 25 to 31 degrees Celsius (77 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit), depending on the variety and the level of extraction desired. Three pump-overs were carried out daily during fermentation to rotate the volume of the tank 0.5 to 1.5 times. Total maceration time ranged from 15 to 30 days for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenère and eight to 12 days for the Petit Verdot, according to the development of each block vinified. The final blend was racked to French oak barrels (67% new) and aged for 22 months, during which time malolactic fermentation and stabilization occurred naturally." They harvested early and managed to keep the same alcohol level as the 2016. This has less aromatic exuberance and is a more serious vintage with good concentration and weight, not as aerial as the 2016. They increased the amount of wine matured in larger 2,500-liter foudres instead of barrique. This is more powerful, structured and concentrated, like a drier version of the 2015, with some grainy tannins, more acidity, more austerity and less primary fruit. The tannins have some grip (the earlier harvest perhaps?) and might need a little bit of time in bottle, and the wine seems to have what it takes to develop nicely in bottle. (LG)

94 Points - Wine Spectator
This is a powerful and structured red with currants, minerals and blackberries. Full and very silky plus has firm tannins and a chewy finish. A beauty.

92 Points - Wine Advocate
A chiseled red, with concentrated minerality and white pepper accents to the crisp and pure-tasting plum, cherry and raspberry flavors. Rich sea salt and savory herbal notes emerge midpalate, leading to a finish that lingers with cedar and cigar box nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. (KM)

Product size: 750ml