Seña (1996)

About this wine

The 1996 Seña from Chile's Aconcagua Valley is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Carmenère, showcasing a deep violet-red color. On the nose, it offers aromas of cedar, graphite, coffee, and licorice, layered over black fruit and strawberry compote. The palate reveals firm yet ripe tannins, with flavors of sweet spices like cloves and subtle balsamic notes, leading to a long, fresh finish with hints of tobacco and ginger. This vintage reflects the cooler-than-normal season, which allowed the fruit to achieve optimal ripeness while maintaining good acidity, resulting in an elegant wine with great depth.

About the grape

In the 1996 Viña Seña Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend was composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Carmenère. Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it a staple in many wine regions worldwide. Carmenère, originally from Bordeaux, was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s, where it had been mistaken for Merlot. This grape thrives in Chile's climate, contributing unique spicy and earthy notes to blends. The 1996 vintage of Seña was crafted before the winery established its own vineyards, utilizing selected grapes from Viña Errázuriz's holdings in the Aconcagua Valley.

Quick facts

• 🍷 Seña 1996 was the second vintage of this iconic Chilean wine, following its inaugural release in 1995.
• 🍇 The 1996 vintage is composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Carmenère, showcasing a classic Bordeaux-style blend with a Chilean twist.
• 🛢️ This vintage was aged for 15 months in 100% new French oak barrels, contributing to its complexity and aging potential.
• 🌡️ The 1996 growing season was cooler than usual, allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while retaining good acidity, resulting in elegant wines with great depth.
• 🤝 Seña was originally a joint venture between Chilean vintner Eduardo Chadwick and American wine icon Robert Mondavi, aiming to create a Chilean wine that could rival the world's best.

Palate profile

Producer

Viña Seña, established in 1995 as a collaboration between Chilean vintner Eduardo Chadwick and American winemaker Robert Mondavi, aimed to create Chile's first 'icon' wine. Located in the Aconcagua Valley, the winery spans 42 hectares and has been practicing biodynamic viticulture since 2005. Notably, Seña's 2015 and 2018 vintages each received a perfect 100-point score from critic James Suckling. The winery's architecture, designed by Germán del Sol, draws inspiration from pre-Hispanic structures, offering panoramic views of the surrounding valley.