Viña Seña 2022

The 2022 Seña enters on a reticent note, quietly opening up to reveal a dark, leather-bound nose with hints of turned earth, cedar, licorice and graphite accents that manage a levity and high-toned energy. The palate is lively and spry, driven by bright treble tones balanced with weighty, broad depth and a perfectly suave texture. The finish is juicy yet tense, structured and refined, with impressive length and coiled energy. Ever-expanding in the glass, this is a gorgeous, energetic and exuberant example of poise and clarity that should be a pleasure to follow in the cellar. It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 9% Carmenere and 6% Petit Verdot aged 18 months mainly in French barrique with some foudre.

Seña has finished the redistribution and replanting of their vineyards after a soils study, using the new Malbecs and some Petit Verdot in the second wine, Rocas de Seña, with a base of Malbec with Cabernet and with some Mediterranean grapes (Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre). 2021 was a cooler year without high peaks in the summer, which is key, reasonable rain in winter and the good conditions for settling and cooler temperatures than the average in the summer. It's a healthy vintage, similar to 2016, with less rain and acidity and with a little more structure and concentration but with finesse and balance and a little slimmer than the 2018s. They harvested later than in 2020 and 2019. 2021 is the last harvest from winemaker Francisco "Pancho" Baettig, who is now dedicated to his personal project in the south but still working as a consultant for the Chadwick family after 20 years of dedication.