Rocas de Seña 2023.

Location and Terroir: ‘Rocas’ takes its name from the larger stones and gravelly terroir upon which its vineyards sit. Its remote & special location in and near Ocoa has allowed the Mediterranean climate to give long slow hangtime to the key hillside varietals of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon ensuring aromatic complexity, and spellbinding fruit. The other varietals come from the North-East rocky exposure of Las Vertientes vineyard on the opposite side of the Aconcagua Valley. Here plots of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre have warmer sun kissed conditions, the stones store heat by day and radiate it by night, aiding phenolic ripeness while keeping freshness. This ensures the tannins are ripe and the fruit is expressing a captivating juiciness. The cooling Pacific and Andean airflow is channelled down the steep sided corridor of the Aconcagua valley, ensuring the warmth is kept in check and the grapes are in perfect health with their signature vibrancy, freshness, acidity and elegance.

Growing season: 2023 was a challenging vintage for Chile due to the extreme temperatures recorded. However, this was not uniform. Microclimates played a pivotal role for the central region of the Aconcagua valley. It was a vintage where exceptional terroir, and a superior location, was key. The winter provided much needed water, filling up the natural water reserves in the soils giving the vines a strong start. It enabled the root systems to reach deeply into the mineral rich soils passing even more moisture, complexity, and texture to the grapes through very healthy vines. The coolness in November delayed bud break, leading to a longer flowering window. They then saw the perfect heat spike in December allowing for long warm days of even homogenous ripening.

The summer months of January, February and March were important as the warmth and heat grew. The hillside locations protected the vines, and they experienced unique weather formations which played a vital role in the success of the vintage. Cooling sea fogs were pulled inland down the funnel of the valley during the mornings, protecting the vines and grapes, preserving acidity and freshness of the fruit. The fog isolated the vines from the sun’s heat, giving shorter exposure, reducing temperatures, and giving moisture for the more demanding times of the day. Emily told us the “increased foggy mornings allowing grape temperatures to drop more quickly, thereby conserving their acidity.” Despite the extreme temperatures elsewhere, Emily noted: “the average temperature in the vineyards was 16.9 degrees Celsius for the growing season.” Overall, this was only 1.7% above the historical norm.

Rocas 2023 shows its prowess, combining icon-estate provenance, and biodynamic hillside fruit. A forward styled sumptuous blend with a juicy Mediterranean-accent, its terroir-first approach and perfect climate lending themselves to deliver a wine with an expressive character, a fresh, sumptuous palate and textural signature that gives its unique identity. “Once again this is deeply impressive.” Says Colin Hay of the Drinks Business - whilst The Wine Advocate calls it, “a beautifully floral expression”.

The 2023 blend combines old-world savour with new-world clarity, with a base focused on bright and aromatic Malbec (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), with an interplay of juicy fruit, woven with florals and spice coming from the Syrah (17%), Grenache (14%), Petit Verdot (9%) and Mourvèdre (4%). Decanter have awarded 94 points in line with the 2022 noting this special personality, “Robust elegance, playfulness and dynamism - hallmarks of Rocas de Seña - are again on display in a wine that is so alluring now…” The critics all sing the praises of this delicious offering with some brilliant scores and commentary.

“Lovely freshness, with pretty aromas of fresh herbs, minerals, red berries and blue fruit. A juicy, medium-bodied palate showing generous fruit. It’s poised and linear, with fine tannins and a long, refined finish. A fresh, vibrant wine that already shows its appeal. 35% malbec, 21% cabernet sauvignon, 17% syrah, 14% grenache, 9% petit verdot and 4% mourvedre. 90% French barrels and 10% foudres. Drink now or hold.” - 95 points – Zekun Shuai, James Suckling, May 2025.

“The 2023 iteration of Rocas de Seña blends 35% Malbec, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Mourvèdre, a make up translated into moreish yet bright complexity. The juicy core of red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate is held by graphite-lined tannins, assertive but fine and powdery. The mid-palate reveals intricate layering of redcurrant, cassis and red bell pepper, all cloaked in tomato leaf and dried lavender and sprinkled with pink pepper and nutmeg. Long tail of tarragon, rockrose and saffron. Robust elegance, playfulness and dynamism - hallmarks of Rocas de Seña - are again on display in a wine that is so alluring now but will also certainly improve in bottle.” 94 points – Ines Salpico, Decanter, October 2025.

“Rocas is much more than the second wine of Seña, as it’s made with a different set of grapes, nodding towards the south of France and the Iberian Peninsula as much as Bordeaux. Malbec-based, as it has been for a while, with support from 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Mourvèdre, the 2023 is rich, dense and quite firm in its youth, with top notes of garrigue, mint and pine, nicely understated 40% new wood, a touch of stony reduction and a core of fig and blackberry framed by sinewy tannins.” 94 points – Tim Atkin MW, September 2025.

“(Valle del Aconcagua; 35% Malbec; 21% Cabernet Sauvignon; 17% Syrah; 14% Grenache; 9% Petit Verdot; 4% Mourvèdre; aged for 18 months in a combination of new French oak barrels (90%) and foudres; 14% alcohol; tasted with Emily Faulconer over Zoom). Once again this is deeply impressive. Quite an opulent and expressive wine with lots of vertical lift conveying the pomegranate and red berry fruits, gentle sweet spices and more floral and herbal components into the stratosphere. On the palate this is less taut and strict than the Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2021 tasted alongside, with a more ample frame, the fruit held less tightly to the spine. It’s also more lithe and energetic, without quite the same density or concentration. Long on the finish, this is a great introduction to the quality (and qualities) of Seña itself, though note that the presence of Rhone varietals (at just over a third of the blend) gives this a rather different personality. Accessible already.” 93 points – Colin Hay, Drinks Business, August 2025.

“The 2023 Rocas de Seña is a blend from Ocoa, Aconcagua. Aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels, it opens with clear fruit aromas where the Mediterranean varieties bring grace. Notes of pomegranate and fine cherry mingle with Malbec fruit and floral hints. Dry, taut and juicy, this has a plush texture with subtle grip. The finish is delicate and fruit-driven. Despite the warmth of the vintage, it retains balance and finesse.” 93 points – Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, June 2025.

“The 2023 Rocas de Seña is a beautifully floral expression of this introductory blend, which combines a wide variety of Bordeaux and Rhône varieties from the Seña estate. Red fruit, purple flowers and fresh herb aromas lead into a smooth, refined texture with a touch of underlying creamy richness. It concludes with a soft, woody and chalky finish that lingers with fine-grained tannins and additional layers of floral complexity. The blend of 35% Malbec, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Mourvèdre aged for 18 months in predominantly barrique and a small portion of foudre.” 92 points – Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate, August 2025.

“Deep ruby red with violet hues. The nose is intense and floral, with delicate aromas of violets, lavender, and sage, intertwined with red fruits such as ripe cherries and pomegranate. Subtle hints of rosemary add refined complexity. On the palate, vibrant fruit flavours harmonize with the aromas, enhanced by a fresh and lively character. The tannins are fine with a chalky texture contributing to a wine of great length and elegance. A bright acidity carries the juiciness through to a persistent, refined finish” Emily Faulconer, Winemaker February 2025.

SHIPPING: March 2026.