Seña

Seña is an icon of viticulture in South America. The Chilean red wine has fascinated international wine critics for many years. In Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez has never awarded the Seña less than 96 points since 2015. James Suckling even awarded 100 points in 2015 and 2018 for the noble red wine, which has been backed by Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi, two greats of the wine world, since 1995. The 2020 Seña vintage is also outstanding. The creation from the Aconcagua Valley was awarded 97 points by Gutiérrez and 98 by Suckling.The bouquet of the blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 7% Petit Verdot is impressively complex. Notes of raspberries and cherries form the intensely fruity basis. They create a stimulating interplay with balsamic notes of cedar and tobacco as well as nuances of dill and rosemary, explains Francisco Baettig, the technical director of Seña.The wine "is subtle and multi-layered, not just fruit, but with more spice," Gutiérrez says of the 2020 vintage. Suckling's verdict: "Complex, with a spicy character, the nose shows tobacco, salty plums, olives, black cherries, cassis and a hint of white pepper, followed by a fine, spicy, balsamic accent."On the palate, the deep garnet-red Chilean blend is dry, dense and powerful, with masterfully integrated, polished tannins. The Seña 2020 has "very fine-grained tannins, plus freshness, acidity and tension. Very balanced in a rather warm vintage," says Baettig.Gutiérrez also writes of polished tannins and very well-integrated wood maturation after 22 months in barriques. According to the Spaniard, 78% new wood was used and 10% of the wine was aged in large Stockinger barrels, i.e. barrels from the world-renowned barrel maker from Austria.Seña's vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley, along the Aconcagua River, which flows from the Andes into the Pacific, offer the perfect terroir for perfect wines. Located on the eastern side of the coastal mountains, and thus shielded from the direct influence of the ocean, the growing area also benefits from a Mediterranean climate and the cooling effect of the world's oceans. The fact that Seña was an early adopter of biodynamic viticulture also ensures that this Chilean red wine fully develops the extraordinary potential of the terroir.You can already drink the Seña 2020 now. An outstanding enjoyment experience is guaranteed. If you wait a little longer (from 2025), it will be even greater.

Seña 2021 is an iconic red wine from Chile, more precisely from the Aconcagua Valley, around 100 kilometers north of Santiago. This valley offers ideal conditions for viticulture due to its location and climate. Seña is a joint project between the famous Chilean winemaker Eduardo Chadwick and the Mondavi family from California, which was launched in 1995. The aim was to create a wine that is on a par with top international wines in terms of quality and expressiveness, but with a clear Chilean identity.The wine comes from biodynamically cultivated vineyards that thrive on stony, mineral-rich soils. These soils, combined with the high altitude and cool Pacific breezes, allow the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in a perfect balance between fruit, acidity and tannin.The Seña 2021 is a masterful cuvée, dominated by 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Malbec, 17% Carménère and 6% Petit Verdot. On the nose, it immediately seduces with a complex bouquet of blackcurrants, cherries and plums, accompanied by subtle nuances of tobacco, cedar and a hint of chocolate. Hints of balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs also lend the wine a remarkable depth.On the palate, the Seña 2021 is full-bodied and powerful, yet elegant at the same time. The ripe tannins are finely integrated and give the wine structure and longevity. The fruit is juicy and concentrated, with notes of dark berries, accompanied by spicy accents and a subtle hint of mint and black pepper. Its well-integrated acidity gives the wine a lively freshness that does not make it appear too heavy despite its intensity. The finish is long, complex and leaves behind a pleasant minerality.The Seña 2021 once again confirms its reputation as one of the best wines in Chile and perhaps the entire New World. It combines the elegance and structure of the best Bordeaux wines with the powerful fruit and spice typical of the Aconcagua Valley. Although it is already impressive, it will certainly continue to grow in complexity and harmony over the coming decades. A great wine for special occasions as well as hearty dishes such as lamb, beef or game.