Today the concept of a Chilean icon wine is nothing revolutionary. Twenty or so years ago when Seña was conceived, however, the Chilean wine landscape was very different, the estate's co-founder told masterclass guests at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

Chile’s first icon wine was the result of a joint venture between two visionary men, two pioneers in their own field, Eduardo Chadwick, owner and president of Viña Errazuriz in Chile, and the-now-late Robert Mondavi in California.

The name Seña means ‘signal’, signifying the intention to show the world what Chile is capable of producing from its word-class terroir.

Buyers at the time were only interested in cheap wine from Chile, and we were keen to help elevate its image,’ said Chadwick, at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

But it wasn’t enough to make a good wine. Chadwick understood that getting out there and showcasing Seña alongside other great Bordeaux blends of the world was the best way to show that Chile could compete at the top level.

On 23 January 2004, 36 respected European wine critics gathered in Berlin for what has become known as the Berlin Tasting, to blind taste 16 wines. What was a huge gamble paid off: Viñedo Chadwick 2000 and Seña 2001 came first and second respectively, triumphing over famous clarets including Châteaux Lafite, Margaux and Latour, as well as Italian cult wines Tignanello, Sassicaia, Solaia and Guado al Tasso.

The tasting was recreated in capital cities across the world, with similar results, before Chadwick set out on a new world tour to showcase the wine’s ageing potential. With the reputation of Seña, and Chile’s premium wine sector, now firmly established, Chadwick is optimistic about the future. ...

https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/opinion/the-editors-blog/sena-wine-chilean-346215-346215/

 

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