Viñalba Diane 2017

This Diane is the latest version of Viñalba’s top blend, 85% malbec and 15% cabernet franc from the vineyards surrounding the winery in Gualtallary, planted in the highest part of the estate, with limestone-rich soils 13 years ago. This selection from the best blocks yields a tremendously dense, voluminous wine, but that weight isn’t evident because of the piercing, chalky tannins that provide the backbone that sustains everything here. Still a very young wine, with incredible vitality. [A darling of the cellar and a wine to follow through the early 2030s.] Score – 96. (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2020)