Sena 2018

Characterised as an iconic wine of Chile, Seña was established in 1995 as a collaboration between the legendary Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley) and Chile’s Eduardo Chadwick, 5th generation owner and president of Vina Errazuriz, a benchmark Chilean producer.  Seña means ‘signal’ indicating the founder’s intentions to show what Chile could produce from its world class terroir. Mondavi and Chadwick searched for four years before deciding on a site in Chile’s Aconcagua Valley. Sitting 40km inland from the ocean and 100km north of Santiago, conditions are ideal here for a Chilean version of the Bordeaux blend. The vineyard became certified biodynamic in 2005, which was the same year the estate became wholly owned by the Chadwick family.

The 2018 vintage at Seña was hailed as one of the best ever, with near perfect climatic conditions. It is a Bordeaux blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 18% malbec, 15% carmenère, 7% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot.  The grapes were fermented in a combination of stainless steel and concrete vats and matured in new barriques and Stockinger foudres for 22 months. 

“This is a very thoughtful Seña that shows unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, turning to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins that envelop your palate. Shows power and vibrancy at the end. Toned muscles. It’s a very intellectual wine that harkens back to the 2015. Beautiful to try now, but better after 2023.” 100 points, James Suckling.

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