One of Chile’s most revered wines, alongside Almaviva and Viñedo Chadwick, Seña has become a favourite for collectors.
Seña’s Story
Seña is produced by Errazuriz, who also own Viñedo Chadwick. It was created in 1995 as a joint venture between Eduardo Chadwick and Robert Mondavi, who shared a dream of making a wine that would show Chile’s full potential and be welcomed, in time, amongst the world’s First Growths. Modelled on a Bordeaux style, it would have a Chilean soul given by its Carmenere variety, grown under biodynamic farming principles in the Aconcagua Valley. The first vintage was 1995 which was released in 1997 to critical praise.
The Vineyard
In 1998, a dedicated vineyard for Seña was developed in Ocoa, Aconcagua, where the vines benefit from the bright sunlight from the generally cloudless Chilean skies and the cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard was subsequently converted to biodynamic cultivation in 2005. Now, nearly 30 years on, the vines on these ancient Andean soils have matured to perfection, their root systems reaching into the alluvial and colluvial soils, absorbing the minerals and moisture from these volcanic deposits.
This combined with the cooling breeze which flows from the soaring Andean Mountains and the moisture rich fogs of the mornings, delivered from the Pacific Ocean’s Humboldt current only 40km away, ensured its Mediterranean climate in 2022 was moderated to perfection. The life-giving water these natural elements delivered, along with the snowmelt water from the Andes, was enough to temper the historic drought felt so deeply in other locations.
Seña is made from five Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The team has fine-tuned the vineyards, providing more foliage to shade the grapes from direct sun and reducing the alcohol level. As a result, the wine can be enjoyed in its youth.
What We Think
Seña is a legendary wine. It achieved international recognition at the Berlin Tasting in 2004, when Edouardo Chadwick entered Seña 2000 and 2001 against the global elite (Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Solaia…) in a blind tasting. The results were astonishing with Sena 2001 coming second and the 2000 equal fourth with Ch Margaux. Over time the style has evolved to become even fresher, more balanced, and more drinkable in its youth. This will be a great addition to your cellar as it can be enjoyed right away or kept for decades. It is also a good investment with both 2019 and 2020 offering 15% return on the current market. Second wine Rocas de Sena also offers great value
Seña 2022 - The Scores
Seña 2022
“Extremely bright flowers and citrus with graphite, currants and blueberries. The nose is like going into a flower shop. Medium- to full-bodied with extremely polished tannins that caress your palate. Firm at the finish, which tells you that there is plenty coming in the future. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 25% malbec, 9% carmenere, 6% petit verdot. Try after 2028, but already open and enticing.” - 98pts, James Suckling, March 2024
“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.” Drinking Window 2025 – 2042" - 97 pts Matthew Luczy Wine Advocate - Aug 29, 2024
“The 2022 Seña is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 9% Carménère and 6% Petit Verdot, sourced from the Seña vineyard in Ocoa, Aconcagua Valley. Aged for 20 months, 85% in French oak barrels (66% new) and 15% in foudres, this garnet wine offers a garrigue-like aroma with notes of raspberry, blackberry and flowers over a deep cedar core. Dry and juicy on the palate, the grippy and plush tannins lead to a flavorful and balanced mouthfeel. Compared to other Seña vintages, the 2022 is more intense and nuanced.” - 96pts, Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous, July 2024
“Unremarked by some, Seña has totally changed style over the last decade and is now a more elegant, nuanced and complete wine, even in a very dry vintage like 2022. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon with a chorus of 25% Malbec, 9% Carmenère and 6% Petit Verdot, this benefitted from early picking to preserve vivacity and freshness. Adroitly wooded in 85% new barrels, it has subtle Asian spice and dried herb aromas, a waft of graphite and tarragon, bramble, red cherry and blackcurrant leaf flavours, more tannic grip than you think at first and supporting natural acidity. 2026-38" - 96 pts, Tim Atkin, August 2024
Rocas de Seña 2022
“A linear and refined red with sweet berry, cherry, wildflower, lavender, rosemary flower and citrus undertones that follow through to a medium body with firm, fine tannins. Cream, pretty and spicy. Similar flavors on the finish. Second wine of Seña, made from two estates. A blend of 33% malbec, 25% syrah, 21% cabernet sauvginon, 9% petit verdot, 7% mourvedre and 5% grenache. Drink after 2027.” - 95pts, James Suckling, March 2024
“The 2022 Rocas de Seña blends 33% Malbec, 25% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% of them new, this purplish wine offers notes of sour cherry, plum, herbs, violets and a deep oaky layer. Indulgent and juicy on the palate, it presents a flavorful profile full of energy—a savory and rich Chilean red. Rocas de Seña emerged in 2021 as a Bordeaux-inspired second wine of Seña, although it's not entirely sourced from the Seña vineyard.” - 94pts, Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous, July 2024
“A unique blend of 33% Malbec, 25% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, aged 18 months in French barrique, the 2022 Rocas de Seña is a vibrant introduction to the Seña winemaking style, accurately displayed in the poised, graceful style this wine delivers. The nose is fresh and lively with a savory, herbal background, introducing a suave, precise, plush palate. While this is juicier and less tensely structured than the Seña itself, there is no lack of bracing tension that props up and elongates the finish. This is a beautiful and overperforming wine with a singular identity.” Drinking Window - 2024 – 2032" - 94 pts Matthew Luczy Wine Advocate - Aug 29, 2024
“Rocas is a wine with a significant Mediterranean accent, featuring a core of Malbec complemented by 25% Syrah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache. Showing some subtle, appealing reduction, it reflects the shift towards greater freshness over the last five vintages at Seña, with the emphasis on red berry fruit, textured, fine-boned tannins, top notes of mint, clove and mountain herbs, lovely zip and minerality and a stony finish. Long and refreshing, especially in such a dry vintage. 2025-32" - 94 pts, Tim Atkin, August 2024