2021 Clos Apalta, Apalta Valley, Chile
Description
This 75% Carmenère offers aromas which to my senses are almost close to perfection. Beautiful blackberry fruit, herbs and spice alongside subtle hints of dark chocolate, graphite, and violets all add to the superb aromatic complexity. Initially, the palate is medium-full bodied with precise and polished tannins and there is pleasingly refreshing acidity. Flavours lean more towards a red and blue fruit profile this year with bundles of red cherries and blueberries on show.
The finish is seriously long with a slight hint of green bell pepper and a plethora of savoury notes. The texture is simply mindboggling. An incredible Chilean red which sits proudly next to some of the greats of the vinous world. You should absolutely experience this vintage for yourself!
Daniel Martin, Private Client Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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Colour
Red -
Sweetness
Dry -
Vintage
2021 -
Alcohol
15% -
Grape
Carménère,Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot -
Body
Full Bodied -
Producer
Casa Lapostolle
Critics reviews
The 2021 Clos Apalta comprises 75% Carménère, with the remainder filled out by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, sourced from the eponymous Apalta Vineyard. It was aged for 24 months in oak barrels, two-thirds of which were new. This dark purple wine reveals nuanced aromas of graphite, herbs, dried plums and blackberry marmalade, complemented by mint, boldo and garrigue-like notes over a green bell pepper layer. Plush and ample on the palate, it is lifted by a mild refreshing quality that adds a rare nimbleness to its flow.
This long-lasting red is a serious wine, less influenced by Michel Rolland's style than in other years, as the fresh vintage imparted a lighter, less ripe and more expressive character. Clos Apalta is one of those rare Chilean wines that reliably showcases the characteristics of each vintage while maintaining a consistent house style. That steadiness is a boon for consumers, as it allows them to appreciate the impact of different vintages, which is a significant part of the allure of high-quality wines.
Drink 2028 - 2040
Extremely aromatic with red currants, blackcurrants, spices, iodine, paprika and subtle hints of white pepper. Fresh flowers, fresh sage, lavender and some pine needles and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with perfectly integrated tannins that go on for minutes with refined and harmonious fruit that integrates beautifully into the wine, giving it a weightless structure that shows class and verve. Endless balance and length. It’s so balanced that you could drink it now but it will age for decades. A blend of 75% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot.
Drink 2028
Hillside granitic vineyards, alongside older vines dating back to 1907 on the flatlands. A kick of spice greets you on the opening, this is reserved at first with carefully constructed dense blackcurrant and black cherry fruits, deeply coloured, cocoa dusted, opening to show rose bud and lilac, with an edge of capsicum and cayenne pepper. Exceptionally good quality. 78% new oak for ageing, 3.79ph. Andrea Léon technical director, organically farmed.
Drink 2026 - 2042