Ripe, smooth and pure, with aromas of asphalt, tobacco and cedar-lined cigar box along with dry, elevated fruit. The palate is balanced to a tee, with floral, fresh flavors of berry, cola, herbs and tobacco. Seña has been on a roll lately, and this vintage is entirely inviting, balanced and savory. Drinkable now, but best from 2010 to 2013.
— M.S.
(7/1/2009)
From Robert Mondavi and Eduardo Chadwick, a Chilean producer (Errázuriz), this wine is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Carmenère. The color is inky dark, and it smells young and intense, almost fiery—there’s a suggestion of charcoal and embers. Massive fruit explodes in the mouth, but it’s not a fruit bomb; it’s much too sophisticated for that. Oak is…
— S.H.
(2/1/2001)
Arguably the best Seña to date. This blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Carmenère, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot opens with a mix of perfume, spice and prickle along with raspberry. The palate is flush and flashy, with a complex blend of strawberry, raspberry, vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco flavors. Smooth as a glass table, and slightly creamy. Excellent Chilean wine to drink…
— M.S.
(11/15/2008)
Big and woody on first blush, but relaxes to show clove, cinnamon and dry plum-like fruit. More spice and clove on the cedary palate, with a chewy, real-deal mouthfeel. Firm tannins and plenty of oak say lay this down for another couple of years. Not a monster fruit ball, but ample.
— M.S.
(2/1/2005)
Very round and stylish, especially for an ’02 (not a memorable vintage in Chile). The nose offers full berry and tobacco aromas, which are backed up by ripe cassis and plum flavors. Stacked on the finish, with chocolaty depth that’s worth exploring. Quite a successful world-class red.
— M.S.
(10/1/2006)
The 2004 gives some easy aromas of milk chocolate, mint, herbs, olives and eucalyptus. As it opens, the tannins get stickier and the flavors of chocolate, plum, cassis and tobacco expand. On the finish, look for vanilla and good herbal length.
— M.S.
(5/1/2008)
In a strong performance for a weak vintage, the tobacco-leather-menthol nose of the '98 opens to a dry palate of berry, soy, subdued cassis flavors and leather accents. The feel is even and supple, and this drinks well now, closing with dry cherry fruit and fine tannins. Not a long-term keeper--drink through 2004.
— W.E.
(10/1/2001)
Opens with serious toasted oak aromas. The sappy wood and char assaults the nose, obscuring underlying blackcurrant, tarry notes that show up in the well-ripened flavors. This is an extravagantly extracted wine, long on flavor, big in size, although it could use more in the finesse department. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and a little Carmenère.
— S.H.
(12/1/2002)