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Mondavi & Chadwick: Seña

Seña (Spanish for distinguishing mark or personal signature) is the result of the union of winemaking families from both North and South America. These families are headed by Eduardo Chadwick, of Viña Errazuriz, and Robert Mondavi. It is reported that Mondavi had been interested in producing a premium label in Chile since he first visited in 1985, when he realised the potential for wine production that existed there. It wasn't until meeting Eduardo Chadwick, however, six years later, that the idea began to evolve into something more tangible. The two announced their joint venture for the production of Seña, in which they are equal partners, in 1995. Seña is produced at the Don Maximiano Estate in the Aconcagua Valley, which has long been a source of premium grapes for Viña Errazuriz. The Aconcagua Valley was chosen as the source for all of Sena's fruit because of it's ideal viticultural climate, with wet winters but a long, dry growing season. The summer days are frequently sunny and intensely hot, helping to ensure ripened fruit. In addition, the narrow Aconcagua valley experiences influxes of cool air from both the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped Andes Mountains. These cooling influences help to maintain good acidity in the grapes, which fosters an attractive balance in the final wines.

The production of Seña is under the guidance of three individuals. Led by Tim Mondavi are winemakers Edward Flaherty (representing Viña Errazuriz) and Tony Coltrin (representing Mondavi Wines). Together these three produced the inaugural vintage of Seña in 1995. It is a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere, this latter grape being widespread in Chile, having once been mistaken for Merlot. The label for the wine includes an antique document depicting the partnership between the Chadwick and Mondavi families with the signatures of both partners and a Spanish phrase, Seña is the alliance of two families that captures the spirit of Chile, the land, and our passion for excellence. (18/12/02)

Contact details:
Address: Avenida Nueva Tajamar 481, Oficina 503 Torre Sur
Telephone: +56 (0) 2 339 3100
Fax: +64 (0) 2 203 6690
Internet: www.sena.cl

Seña - Tasting Notes

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Seña 1999: Tasted in a line-up of Errazuriz wines, including Vinedo Chadwick. This particular vintage is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Carmenere. It has dense, pure, blackcurrant fruit, and ripe, slightly roasted nut aromas. Elegant, balanced, dark black fruits on the palate, with grip and extract. Ripe, rounded, with lovely substance. This needs five to six years in the cellar. Very good indeed. 17+/20 (November 2004)

Seña 1997: Once again a richly coloured, deep red-black wine. The nose has aromas of intense, tarry fruit, backed up by elegant smoky, youthful, mineral notes. This wine exudes class. The palate has a mass of sweet blackcurrant-pastille and cassis fruit. A full bodied, powerful wine, with plenty of extract, and great grip right through to the finish. Alongside it all are ripe, balanced tannins, and correct acidity. This is absolutely wonderful stuff. Certainly set up to improve over the next 3-5 years, but very approachable now. Delicious. 18.5+/20 (December 2002)

Seña 1996: A great colour. An intense, powerful wine, the aromas of which fill the room. Amazing, tarry, bramble and black cherry fruit, with lovely floral edges. Notes of liquorice, and some fresh, lacquered oak. On the palate there's great structure and a full body. Lots of extract, lots of fruit, and that floral, elegant edge comes through. Good acidity. Powerful and balanced. Great, mouthfilling, opulent but masculine texture. Round, ripe tannins on the finish. 18/20 (December 2002)

Seña 1995: A deep, dark red-purple hue, still very youthful. A very expressive nose, packed with dense blackcurrant and bramble fruit. There's plenty of smoky American oak, creating aromas of vanilla and charcoal. The texture is beautifully rounded and silky, and this mouthfeel dominates the forepalate. Through the midpalate more of the wines structure becomes apparent. It is full bodied, fairly muscular in build, with lovely extract, but still with that gentle, silky-glossy texture behind it. Still packed with fruit, and deliciously ripe tannins. 18/20 (December 2002)