The Wine Advocate | RP 94+
Published: Aug 31, 2023
Drink: 2023-2030

Their second wine, the 2021 Epu is from the same terroir and vineyard in Puente Alto as Almaviva but comes from the younger vines, around 12 years on average. In 2021, the blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere and 5% Merlot (no Cabernet Franc this year). It has a ripe and heady nose, with 14.68% alcohol (15% on the label), mellow acidity and intense notes of red peppers, ripe blackberries and cassis and some spiciness from the oak. It matured for one year in French barriques, only 10% new and 90% second use. It has a little less structure and softer tannins, making it more approachable than previous years, a profile that seems to be the signature of the year. It's medium to full-bodied with velvety, more polished tannins, and it is more delicate and less concentrated, with more finesse. But I find these quite homogeneous and regular, this year with no raisins or dehydrated grapes, and in this vintage, it feels open and expressive. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2023. 

2021 was a cooler year in Puente Alto (Maipo), with warmer temperatures during the winter, but January and February were much cooler (over one degree lower than the average), especially after a rain in late January (54 liters in one and a half days), because the whole season was warm (now averaging 150 liters of rain between May and September, mostly in June and July). It was a heterogeneous flowering, but the rain delayed the ripening; and they started the 24th of March with the first Merlots, within normal dates, and in the second week of April they had to hurry up and finished a little earlier than expected. So, it was a bumpy ride but the results are very good, and the wines are fresher and more balanced than the ones from 2020. The 2021s are more delicate wines with less concentration, more finesse, precision and elegance, with a little less body and structure than 2020, 2019 or 2017 vintage, more in line with 2018, even though 2018 had a warmer summer and more winter rain.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 94
Published: Feb 16, 2023

Fresh and subtle nose with cassis, lead pencil and some red chili peppers. A hint of lavender and cedar. This is quite supple on the palate with a medium body and silky, soft tannins. Pretty generous and flattering. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 15% carmenere and 5% merlot. Drink now.