2017 Clos Apalta Red Blend Chile

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  • Three 100 Points Scores Since 2014!
  • Winemaker Michel Rolland
  • Multiple 94+ Scores, 20 Years Running!
  • Pre-Order Item
  • Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles

About the Wine

Clos Apalta was established in 1994 when Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, whose family founded Grand Marnier, first arrived in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. Along with her husband Cyril de Bournet, they quickly realized its potential for producing world-class wines. Alexandra brought exceptional French winemaking practices to Chile and pioneered the development of fine quality wines from the region. Today it is Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle, seventh generation of the family, who holds the reins of the Winery. Joining him are Jacques Begarie, Technical Director & Winemaker, and the famous winemaker Michel Rolland, who is personally involved in the whole production of Clos Apalta. Together, the trio produces world-class wines from some of Chile's best vineyards and has received three 100 point scores!

Apalta is located about 100 miles South West of Santiago in the Colchagua Valley. The Vineyard is situated on a North to South exposure, which is quite rare in Chile. The Tinguiririca river rests on one side and the hills from the Coastal Cordillera surround the vineyard like a horseshoe on the other. They are both integral in forming this unique terroir. This geography is responsible for the conditions that ensure balance for and a slow ripening for the grapes. At sunrise and sunset, the Cordillera block the sun’s rays, limiting the vines exposure to intense sunshine and the river has a cooling influence on the climate. The vineyard is both certified Organic and Biodynamic.

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 64% Carménère, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. The wine offers up aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant, blueberry with some ripe bell pepper, and black olive notes. As it matures it develops pepper, crème de cassis, leather, and charred notes (smoke, toast, and chocolate). There are delicate cherry aromas on the nose, subtly balanced out by spicy touches of black pepper. Freshness on the palate ensures a beautiful finish of black fruit, smoke, cocoa, leather, and tobacco notes. An ideal companion for a canard à l’orange, rack of lamb with rustic mashed potatoes or to finish a meal with a selection of a high percentage cacao chocolate

*Note: This is a pre-order item expected to arrive in December 2020.

Reviews

What a stunning nose of crushed berries, fresh flowers, sandalwood, and light vineyard dust. Black olives, too. Very complex. Full-bodied with a beautiful, dense palate of blackberries, chocolate, walnuts, and cigar box. Fantastic length and composure. The tannin just rolls over the palate. Very structured. The most classically structured wine ever from here. Goes on for minutes. Outrageous and so polished. A blend of 48% Carmenere, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Try after 2025. ~100 James Suckling

The 2017 Clos Apalta is the 20th vintage of this wine that was produced with a blend of 48% Carmenere, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot from organic and biodynamic certified vineyards on granite soils. It fermented with indigenous yeasts for four to five weeks, with manual punch-down of the cap, mostly in 7,500-liter French oak vats and 18% in new French barrique. Malolactic was in new French oak barrels, and the élevage lasted for 27 months in 85% new barrels and 15% second use. This is always a powerful, big, and ripe wine that is regularly 15% alcohol, reflecting a warm and ripe place. The 2017 is no exception, perhaps a riper and more powerful wine than the 2016. It's still very young and marked by the élevage, with abundant balsamic aromas and notes from the wood—spice, and smoke with an ashy touch. It seems quite marked by the character of the Carmenere. The tannins are quite round and polished, and the flavors are pungent and powerful. It's a full-bodied wine to age in bottle and enjoy in its 10th birthday with powerful food. ~95 Robert Parker

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