An afternoon of discovery with the Iconic Seña wine.
Joining a small group of wine media on Tuesday, January 31st for a unique opportunity to taste the 2018 and 2019 vintages of the Chilean wines of Seña.
Lunch was offered at the Black & Blue restaurant on Alberni Street and we were directed to a private dining room upstairs to meet our host Michele Couttolenc, Fine Wines Director. The lunch and wine pairing were hosted by Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.
The restaurant, and particularly, the private dining room is somewhat old school in tone with a nod to a gentlemen’s club with comfortable surroundings and tasteful decor. An ideal place and time to experience the Seña wines. I believe, like me, most had not had the opportunity to try the wines before so it was rather exciting.
We started with introductions and a Whisky Sour while Michele provided a bit of background via a short video. The history is noteworthy, although quite recent in wine years. The vineyards are located between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains in the region of the Aconcagua Valley where the River winds through the vineyards from the mountains to the ocean where the ocean breezes creep deep into the valley. The Mediterranean climate in the valley ensures warm, dry summers, bright sunny days and cold, rainy winters.
Lunch started with a tasty nibble and amuse bouche and a scallop cerviche paired with our whisky sour cocktails.
First course: Dry Aged Duck Breast with Potato Rosti, Red Wine Jus, Black Truffle, with Raspberry Powder paired with the 2018 Seña, Aconcagua Valley, Chile.
The duck breast was a very nice choice to pair with the wine. Done to medium rare with a crispy skin and finishing salt. The potato rosti was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The red wine jus and black truffle were a wonderful accompaniment. Served with fresh asparagus.
Seña 2018
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec,
15% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc,
5% Petit Verdot
“Of a deep violet red colour, the complexity on the nose conceals its many subtleties, unfolding floral notes alongside red and black fruits, denoting its distinctive freshness. Several layers are unveiled delivering notes of cedar, tobacco, bitter chocolate and truffles. An elegant, tense and yet very attractive wine, it generously offers fresh and juicy fruit that reminds of blueberries, raspberries, some spices and Cuban cigar box notes. Above all, Seña 2018 is a truly captivating wine that accomplishes a unique balance between power and elegance. I believe we are beholding one of the greatest vintages ever crafted in the 25 years of Seña’s history.” Francisco Baettig, Winemaker February 2020
VINTAGE NOTES
A unique harmony all across the seasons. Wines of extraordinary purity and elegance.
The season began with important water reserves in the soils of our Seña vineyard, which along with the mild temperatures recorded during spring, allowed a bud break aligned with the historical dates and a perfect flowering and fruit set.
The ripening period maintained the trend of perfectly moderated temperatures providing excellent conditions for a long and gentle ripening for a complete maturation, while retaining the acidity and the intensity of the fruit in perfect balance. Once the harvest came to an end, the beautiful ripeness and uniqueness of the intense aromatics arising from the grapes were captivating, faithfully representing the greatness of the vintage and Seña’s terroir.
100 pts, James Suckling: Unique aromas of warm earth, mushrooms and conifer, which turn to dark berries and black olives. The palate is more glamorous with ultra-fine tannins that envelop your palate. An intellectual blend.
Examples of great pairings: Grilled Steak, Roast Beef, Rack of Lamb, Lamb Shank, Osso Bucco, Sharp Cheddar
Courtesy of BC Liquor Stores
Scents of ripe blackberries with hints of hard candy mixed with blueberries to present a bountiful yet delicate aroma. Clean and fresh with a slight scent of stone fruits and cranberry. A lovely bright and lively colour in the glass.
The wine presented medium tannins and was slightly lighter than the colour suggests with good body. The wine is juicy, smooth and lingering on the palate. An elegant wine.
Later the wine cast scents of fine leather and tobacco. Exhibiting excellent acidity, freshness and some spiceyness with ever so light floral notes.
$199.99 available at select BC Liquor Stores
Second course: Braised Wagyu Shortrib with Wild Mountain Huckleberry Gremolata, Long Pepper Jus and Canadian Ferro. Paired with 2019 Seña, Aconcagua Valley Chile – 25th Anniversary Vintage.
The shortrib was absolutely delicious, tender and juicy, the ideal accompaniment to the richness of the wine. Most of the guests enjoyed the Wild Mountain Huckleberry Gremolata but I found it a bit tart for the pairing although everything else about the dish was sublime and worked so well with the wine.
Seña 2019
60% Cabernet Sauvignon,
21% Malbec, 15% Carmenere,
4% Petit Verdot
“A deep, bright ruby red colour with purple hues, Seña 2019 shows complexity on the nose with red and black fruits aromas and a distinctive freshness. Several layers of aromatics deliver suggestions of pepper, dill and rosemary alongside coffee beans, pastries and vanilla. On the palate Seña shows notes of blueberry pie and cassis cream whilst brimming with fresh-picked red and black fruits. Seña 2019 is a very elegant wine, with great structure, complexity and depth – with notable freshness and polished tannins.”
Francisco Baettig, Winemaker February 2021
VINTAGE NOTES
A warm spring and cool summer A complex wine with elegance – and great ageing potential
After a mild winter and a shortfall of rains, warm temperatures encouraged a fast spring start with a very healthy bud-break, and perfect flowering and fruit set as October to December were warmer than usual.
Although 2019 is considered to be a warm vintage in Chile, our Seña vineyard enjoyed a cooler than average summer, resulting in a total heat summation of 1,478 DD. This was exactly the same as in 2018 and very much in line with our historical records.
Courtesy of the Winery
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.
Drink date: 2021-2030. Score – 98. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, Aug. 31, 2021)
Courtesy of the LCBO.
$200.00 limited availablity at the LCBO
To start the scents were slightly lighter than the 2018, more subtle with some floral notes, lighter fruits with a bit of red apple, banana, strawberry, mandarin orange and a delectable mix of red fruits.
Slightly darker in colour than the 2018. Expressing light tannins and excellent acidity, clean. This wine is ready to drink now.
Of the two wines this was my, and most of the others, favourite. Both wines were incredibly beautiful and excellently crafted.
Either wine would excite and satisfy the more experienced, discriminating wine lover, as well as the novice pursuing the art of fine wines. It was truly a special opportunity to taste these two vintages of Seña wines.
An Inspiring Journey
Guided by intuition and backed by family heritage, Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi handcrafted a wine of distinctive quality and character. Seña is the culmination of their wonderful partnership and a passionate journey.
Chile’s First Icon Wine
In 1995 Robert Mondavi and Eduardo Chadwick pioneered an international joint venture with a very challenging goal: to reach the full potential of Chile’s wine country and to create a world-class Icon-level wine like none other in Chile. Sharing their dream, efforts and dedication, in 1997 they released the first vintage of Seña (1995), Chile’s first icon wine. This marked a milestone and initiated the path for making ultra-premium wines in Chile.
The Founders
By the time they were done, they were both convinced that Chile had all the potential that California had shown two decades earlier and that together they could make an outstanding wine—a true Icon—that could prove Chile’s world-class potential.
Seña is a unique Bordeaux-style red blend with a very Chilean soul. Its predominant variety is Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Carmenere, which clearly ties it to Chile, while Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc round out the blend.
With thanks to Michele for his presentation and hosting. It was truly a special experience and I am delighted to have been given this opportunity by Mark Anthony Wines & Spirits. Notes and bottle shots courtesy of the winery, feature image: MyVanCity. Winemaker notes Francisco Baettig. My notes (in bold italics). Additional notes BC Liquor Stores and the LCBO. The afternoon was complimentary.
