Chile quietly continues to make some of the top red wines of the 'New World.' The textures are velvet soft, the flavors are full of expressive, ripe fruits, but the signature qualities of the varieties shine through. These distinctive herbal and spice accents are counterpoints to the fleshy richness that comes so easily, especially given the Mediterranean climate of the most important vineyard areas. The wineries of Casa Lapostolle make some of Chile's best, particularly from their flagship vineyard, the organically farmed Clos Apalta, which has a dedicated winery.
The Marnier-Lapostolle family, descendants of the creator of Grand Marnier liqueur, created the Casa Lapostolle winery in 1994 to make world-class, modernly-styled wines. With internationally famous winemaking consultant Michelle Roland there with his decades of experience, they found an ideal vineyard in a natural amphitheater that they could expand upon: Clos Apalta. The old, ungrafted part of the vineyard has an average age of 80 years; these older vines have had time to find deep natural water reserves, and are widely believed to produce wines of greater complexity and finesse.
While the Apalta vineyard is planted with Bordeaux varieties, the top wine of the Clos Apalta vineyard is driven by old-vine Carmenere, lesser-grown in Bordeaux but excelling in Chile with its suave textures and appetizing peppery herbal accents. Aged two years in new French oak, contributing to a creamier texture and coffee/cocoa/caramelized aromas. Neither filtered nor fined.
JAMES SUCKLING 100 POINTS - "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."
ANTONIO GALLON; VINOUS 98 POINTS - "The 2021 Clos Apalta comprises 75% Carmenere, 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 most impact of different vintages, which is a significant part of the allure of high-quality wines." Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Media
Clos Apalta was the first South American wine to be named #1 of the Wine Spectator Top 100
The Marnier-Lapostolle family, descendants of the creator of Grand Marnier liqueur, created the Casa Lapostolle winery in 1994 to make world-class, modernly-styled wines. With internationally famous winemaking consultant Michelle Roland there with his decades of experience, they found an ideal vineyard in a natural amphitheater that they could expand upon: Clos Apalta. The old, ungrafted part of the vineyard has an average age of 80 years; these older vines have had time to find deep natural water reserves, and are widely believed to produce wines of greater complexity and finesse.
While the Apalta vineyard is planted with Bordeaux varieties, the top wine of the Clos Apalta vineyard is driven by old-vine Carmenere, lesser-grown in Bordeaux but excelling in Chile with its suave textures and appetizing peppery herbal accents. Aged two years in new French oak, contributing to a creamier texture and coffee/cocoa/caramelized aromas. Neither filtered nor fined.
JAMES SUCKLING 100 POINTS - "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."
ANTONIO GALLON; VINOUS 98 POINTS - "The 2021 Clos Apalta comprises 75% Carmenere, 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 most impact of different vintages, which is a significant part of the allure of high-quality wines." Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous Media
Clos Apalta was the first South American wine to be named #1 of the Wine Spectator Top 100
