Carmen D.O. Florillón #7 earns 95 points and is named “Best Apalta” at Alistair Cooper MW by Catad’Or 2025

The British Master of Wine praised the premium Semillón from Carmen D.O. range as a white wine strongly shaped by its biological ageing under flor, beautifully balanced and full of character, faithfully expressing the heart of Apalta.

Viña Carmen continues to add accolades to its portfolio. Four wines from the Carmen D.O. line received outstanding scores from Alistair Cooper MW by Catad’Or 2025, reaffirming the Chilean winery’s winemaking excellence and its leadership in exploring unique terroirs.

With 95 points, Carmen DO Florillón #7 was named Best Apalta, in tribute to its origins: a vineyard planted in 1958 on granite soils in the Apalta area of the Colchagua Valley. This Semillón, aged under a layer of yeast known as velo de flor, stands out for its finesse, freshness, and exceptional balance.

“Wow – this has such a flor influence, with super nutty and almond notes. The palate is so fresh, so fine, with nuts, lime, and sun-kissed freshness. Alongside this, it has character and weight. Cashew fruit and nutty notes, lovely saline touches, and then a long f inish. Beautifully balanced and so much fun. The nose is pure flor, and the palate has more weight and density,” commented Cooper.

Carmen DO Matorral Chileno 2023 scored 94 points. This wine pays tribute to the Chilean countryside, specifically the vineyard in the Melozal area of the Maule Valley where it is produced.

Meanwhile, Carmen DO Quijada 2022, a Semillón from Apalta with excellent aging potential, and Carmen DO Loma Seca 2023, a Cinsault from the Itata Valley—the birthplace of Chilean viticulture—both earned 93 points.

The Carmen D.O. line highlights some of Chile’s most distinctive terroirs through limited-production wines crafted in collaboration with local growers, reinforcing Viña Carmen’s commitment to excellence, identity, and enological innovation.