02 Sep 2021

This morning sees the en primeur release of the latest 2019 vintage from Chile's Seña & Viñedo Chadwick. 

We tasted both wines just yesterday and were delighted to find a continued move toward a more elegant, balanced style, with less obvious oak influence and more freshness.  In particular, the moderate alcohol levels and fresh acidity reminded us of the excitement we experienced when we tasted the 2016 Bordeaux vintage from cask.   Writing for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez scores Seña 98 points and Viñedo Chadwick 97 points. 

Although made in different regions and in very different styles, Seña being a Bordeaux blend from Aconcagua and Viñedo Chadwick made almost entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo.  However, both show the lively energy which we see time and again in the best biodynamic wines.  The purity of fruit was particularly enjoyable, reverberating on the palate long after we had tasted them.  

Both wines come from specific vineyards in extraordinary locations, Seña with its dramatic winery built into the side of a hill and Viñedo Chadwick planted on what was Don Alfonso's personal polo field!  You can read more about them on our full offer here, or simply e-mail us to place your order.  

Offered en primeur, landing spring 2022.  

 

2019 Seña, Aconcagua, Chile

“The 2019 Seña was produced with a Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 4% Petit Verdot with the Chilean character of the high percentage of Carmenere. Most of the volume fermented in stainless steel with some 10% in concrete vats, and the final blend matured for 22 months in French oak barrels, 80% of them new, and 10% in Stockinger vats. It's 13.5% alcohol and has good acidity and freshness, coming through as medium-bodied, elegant and balanced. This is incredibly elegant, subtle and harmonious even at this early stage. It has floral aromas, notes of orange peel, a touch of creamy sweet spices and great freshness. The palate is medium-bodied, seamless and pure, with pungent flavors and a soft texture. It's long, clean, defined and super tasty. I feel this wine is getting better and better by the vintage. The grapes were picked quite early, and that helped to contain the ripeness and seems to have been a great decision. There was also an exception in the Panquehue zone where the Seña vines are, where the summer was cooler than the average, so quite different to many other regions in Chile. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2021.  98 points ."  Luis Gutierrez

"Such beautiful aromas of crushed berries, currants, walnuts, allspice and nutmeg follow through to a full body with tight, ultra fine tannins that provide length and intensity. A finish of slightly dried cherries with wet earth, slate and stone. Chewy and fine-grained. A wine with soul and length. Give it time. Drink after 2025.  98 points."  James Suckling

£479 per six bottles in bond

2019 Viñedo Chadwick, Maipo Valley, Chile

“The 2019 Viñedo Chadwick is a classical Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, one of the best zones within Maipo. It's from a moderately warm vintage that delivered a wine with only 13% alcohol and good freshness. It contains some 3% Petit Verdot. The vines were planted in 1992, and its gapes fermented in equal parts in stainless steel and concrete or troncoconic vats. Three-fourths of the wine matured in new barriques and the rest in Stockinger foudres for 22 months, including time for the malolactic fermentation. I was truly impressed by this vintage, especially because of its elegance and freshness. There are showy aromas reminiscent of tangerine and flowers, ripe red berries (rather than black) and a spicy twist from the oak but nothing herbal or balsamic that one could expect given the moderate ripeness. The grapes were picked very early, and the wine follows the path of the 2016, the coolest vintage so far, with juicy fruit, elegance and great tension. This feels exceptional and transcends the style of the year. 10,000 bottles produced. It was bottled the 25th of January 2021.  97points." Luis Gutierrez

"Subtle and very beautiful with currants, tarragon, basil and rose petals in the aromas. It’s full-bodied, yet agile and so fine-textured with superb tannins that provide multi-layers on the palate. It’s refined, yet powerful at the end. Suggests greatness and longevity. Lots of blackcurrants, stones and violets in the after taste. Cabernet sauvignon with a touch of petit verdot. This needs three or four years to show its true greatness.  99 points."  James Suckling

£659 per three bottles in bond

Producer Profile

Seña & Viñedo Chadwick, Chile

In 1995, Eduardo Chadwick of Errazuriz set out in a partnership with Robert Mondavi to make a wine to rival the First Growths, naming it 'Seña' or 'sign', as it was intended to signpost the potential quality of Chilean wine.  The estate is located in Ocoa in the Aconcagua Valley. Seña is now fully owned by Errazuriz and has evolved over time, from a super-charged and super-ripe style to a far more balanced, elegant Bordeaux blend, comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenere and Petit Verdot.

Viñedo Chadwick is Eduardo's tribute to his father, Don Alfonso Chadwick, intended to showcase the tradition and expertise of the Chadwick-Errázuriz family in producing the wines.  The vineyard was originally Don Alfonso's personal polo field, but Eduardo noticed it had a perfect gravelly soil for Cabernet Sauvignon.  Located in Puente Alto D.O. Maipo Valley, Viñedo Chadwick made history at the legendary ‘Berlin Tasting’ in January 2004, chaired by Steven Spurrier,
in which Viñedo Chadwick 2000 – only its second vintage - was placed first, above the Super Tuscans from
Italy, and the First Growth wines from Bordeaux of that vintage.

Eduardo Chadwick introduces the Seña vineyard in the short film below:

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