Ok - drinking again, one year later. This time with spaghetti and meatballs. I am telling you this is a great wine especially at the price. Fairly easy to get in the US but will be headed to Chile later this fall. Chilean wine not necessarily the best wines across the board but some are just outstanding including this one. Try it! If you have some drink some now but certainly has several years to go.
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Wow! Steak with chimichurri sauce for dinner and this wine. Do you like Bordeaux? You have to try this Bordeaux blend heavy on the Carmenere but includes the cab sav and Merlot. Certainly my favorite Chilean red wine. At 10 years old this was at its peak. Good value in my mind as well.
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4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (V&M's): Double blind. Deep color. Aromas of herbs, bacon and black fruit. Full-bodied. Flavors of black fruit, plum and tapenade, with balancing acidity. Very nice. Guessed syrah. 91+ pts. (J&S)
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Quick 10 minutes decanted and start consuming about 2 hours later.
It was a bit tart, tight, and acid. The body was big and full, plenty of fruit, tannins and structure. I believe the air wasn't enough and the time we drank it wasn't the best either.
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A matter of taste 2023 - Day 2: *** Brief notes from wine fair, primarily for my own memory *** Glass: Stölzle Universal 10 years after late release from the winery. Still very young! Spicy, deep, concentrated, high acidity, ripe, high tannin. Wonderful fruit, velvet texture. Long, spicy and fruity finish. Really great and beautiful. 95-96+
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Good fruit depth of mainly black fruits and a nice warmth. There is the earthiness and pleasant green notes one might expect from Carmenere. Medium plus weight. Quite a robust structure, surprisingly young for it's age (9 years). Overall the structure is like a big Bordeaux. Quite high acidity and firm tannins. Medium length. Can drink now but will improve further and drink nicely over the next 10 years. Needs a long decant right now.
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Drank from a magnum with prime churrasco and gallo pinto. Double decanted for one hour in a Riedel Amadeus decanter, placed inside the fridge during that time. After it was back in the bottle allowed to rest another 15-30 minutes before consuming.
The wine is big, long thick legs, dark red/ruby in color, spectacular nose, the palate is coated with a ton of rounded sweet tannins and all dark fruits in the dictionary. This has been the best Clos Apalta I have ever had proving the point that magnums aged better. Ohhh, did I mentioned about the finish? Well, is dry, complex, long, and gives you a sensation of hopelessness just thinking the wine is about to run out…
Drink or Hold. Solid 95.
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One of my favorite regions, we opened and slight decant of a Chilean BdX Blend of Merlot, Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, finished with a tad of Petit Verdot.
Dark purple with a wonderful nose of black fruits, slight hint of green stem and an old world feel. The palate is full bodied with soft tannin that carried the black fruits and oak imparted spices. Layered with fruits, spice and mineral hints.
A crowed pleaser with years left.
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First apalta and I really enjoyed it whereas I typically don’t love wines from this region. No formal rating because i was already cabbaged on mint juleps by the time I drank it. Will approach the remaining bottles a bit more seriously!
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Did not decant- great nose, very smooth, nice on the tongue and felt great in the mouth. Fruits(melon) were present but not overpowering, some flower aroma. I look forward to trying again next year.
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Always great, well structured fresh and balanced Chilean Bordeaux Blend of Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot! In its drinking range now!
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Nicely made wine for sure, and the carmenere is a nice detour from the traditional mixes of cab Franc, cab Sauvignon and Merlot. So the high score and wonderful reviews are potentially appropriate for this dark red/black wine that immediately gives off the sweet menthol, dark cherry, spicy mineral and mildly funky soil notes. But it’s just not my cup of tea, so to speak. Very modern style despite its French origins, a nice steak wine to be sure, and a smooth usually mellifluous passage on the palate. The darker notes reflect cab franc richness, while the Carmenere provides a spicy edge that creates more interest. But overall, drink now and return to the Rhône.
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Considering the price paid for this, around $80 USD, this is a "BUY ON SIGHT & IN QUANTITY" kind of wine.
This is a great example of just how good Cab Sauv blends from South America can be. Distinct in that it carries that slightly green, pyrazinic note to it without being distracting. That, for me, is the key to this wine's current state and potential development.
It's got a gorgeous mouth-coating consistency without being hot or jammy. Tannins are present but not overwhelming. There's a sandalwood spice on the finish that's extremely appealing. Coffee, oak, vanilla, broad dark fruit profile.
Just a beautiful wine. Looking forward to seeing how this one develops.
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Excellent value! Great balance of fruit and graphite. Would never have guessed Chile. Deep wine with a medium finish. We decanted, but honestly should have PnP’d. I’ll be looking to try again!
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Decanted an hour before dinner ( Seabourn) A mouthful of dark berries green pepper and oak. The 15% alcohol leaves the long finish slightly hot. There’s an initial sweetness on the palate that the pepper and tannin balance somewhat but it’s still slightly disconcerting. It’s a JS 96 but I give it 93 tonight Since I wrote this we’ve drank this wine two more times. I like it more than I did initially. This wine is filled with interestingly complex flavors. I would like to see how this evolves 5, 10 years from now.
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New York Wine Experience 2018 (New York Marriott Marquis): A note down from 6 months prior when we were at the Chateau. Clos Apalta is really a fantastic wine from Chile, showcasing Carmenere along with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, and PV. This has notes of dark cherries, plum amazing acidity and a layered chocolate and a little spice for a finish. This is a little green as others have said, however, I found the balance excellent along with the acidity. Very enjoyable.
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The 2013 Clos Apalta is an absolutely sensational showing in this vintage. Composed of predominately Carmenére along with Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Merlot and Petit Verdot this instantly impresses as it bursts open with an incredible range of complex aromatics incluing ripe blackberries, dark currents, blueberries and figs woven together with exotic spices, loam, violets, spring floral, cigar box, graphite, bell pepper and mocha all taking shape in this seductive red. Full-bodied, plush and remarkably concentrated, this continues to impress as it delivers penetrating layers of ripe dark fruits, spices and mocha notes all build on the long, supple finish. Overall, this is an utterly compelling wine, which will continue to impress for many years to come. (Best 2017-2034)
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On the nose wonderful notes of black fruits, once the wine hits the palate the magic really starts. Notes of blackberry, dark fruits and fresh earthy. Green bell pepper and blueberry pie notes sing! Soft tannins and a length which lasts forever. This organic wine is a blend of 70% Carmenere, 21% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2 % Petit Verdot.
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3/16/2024 - Tom’s Notes wrote:
Ok - drinking again, one year later. This time with spaghetti and meatballs. I am telling you this is a great wine especially at the price. Fairly easy to get in the US but will be headed to Chile later this fall. Chilean wine not necessarily the best wines across the board but some are just outstanding including this one. Try it! If you have some drink some now but certainly has several years to go.
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1/24/2024 - Tom’s Notes wrote:
Wow! Steak with chimichurri sauce for dinner and this wine. Do you like Bordeaux? You have to try this Bordeaux blend heavy on the Carmenere but includes the cab sav and Merlot. Certainly my favorite Chilean red wine. At 10 years old this was at its peak. Good value in my mind as well.
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1/12/2024 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 94 Points
My selection for the monthly CWG at Eddie’s V. Double Decanted for just 15 min and start consuming about 2 hours later.
The wine is big and bold with lots of tannins and dark notes, very complex and nicely integrated.
What a great wine and what a nice finish.
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11/25/2023 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
4th Saturday Group: Uptown Brown Bag (V&M's): Double blind. Deep color. Aromas of herbs, bacon and black fruit. Full-bodied. Flavors of black fruit, plum and tapenade, with balancing acidity. Very nice. Guessed syrah. 91+ pts. (J&S)
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9/1/2023 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quick 10 minutes decanted and start consuming about 2 hours later.
It was a bit tart, tight, and acid. The body was big and full, plenty of fruit, tannins and structure. I believe the air wasn't enough and the time we drank it wasn't the best either.
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3/12/2023 - NoTrollingerPlease Likes this wine:
A matter of taste 2023 - Day 2: *** Brief notes from wine fair, primarily for my own memory ***
Glass: Stölzle Universal
10 years after late release from the winery. Still very young! Spicy, deep, concentrated, high acidity, ripe, high tannin. Wonderful fruit, velvet texture. Long, spicy and fruity finish. Really great and beautiful. 95-96+
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11/20/2022 - Steve Simmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
4 hour decant. My first Carmenere. Really liked this. Had with braised short ribs during our Chilean chef Inspired special dinne. WOTN.
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10/2/2022 - Philip67 wrote: 92 Points
Good fruit depth of mainly black fruits and a nice warmth. There is the earthiness and pleasant green notes one might expect from Carmenere. Medium plus weight. Quite a robust structure, surprisingly young for it's age (9 years). Overall the structure is like a big Bordeaux. Quite high acidity and firm tannins. Medium length. Can drink now but will improve further and drink nicely over the next 10 years. Needs a long decant right now.
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8/7/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank from a magnum with prime churrasco and gallo pinto. Double decanted for one hour in a Riedel Amadeus decanter, placed inside the fridge during that time. After it was back in the bottle allowed to rest another 15-30 minutes before consuming.
The wine is big, long thick legs, dark red/ruby in color, spectacular nose, the palate is coated with a ton of rounded sweet tannins and all dark fruits in the dictionary. This has been the best Clos Apalta I have ever had proving the point that magnums aged better. Ohhh, did I mentioned about the finish? Well, is dry, complex, long, and gives you a sensation of hopelessness just thinking the wine is about to run out…
Drink or Hold. Solid 95.
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7/30/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quick double decanted due to lack of planing.
Firm nose, perfum, big body and nice string finish.
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7/24/2022 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Always great! Deep wine with Bordeaux influence. Similar to previous note.
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5/8/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
One of my favorite regions, we opened and slight decant of a Chilean BdX Blend of Merlot, Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, finished with a tad of Petit Verdot.
Dark purple with a wonderful nose of black fruits, slight hint of green stem and an old world feel. The palate is full bodied with soft tannin that carried the black fruits and oak imparted spices. Layered with fruits, spice and mineral hints.
A crowed pleaser with years left.
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5/8/2022 - Beatsmith8 Likes this wine:
First apalta and I really enjoyed it whereas I typically don’t love wines from this region. No formal rating because i was already cabbaged on mint juleps by the time I drank it. Will approach the remaining bottles a bit more seriously!
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4/10/2022 - ClownShow Likes this wine: 96 Points
Did not decant- great nose, very smooth, nice on the tongue and felt great in the mouth. Fruits(melon) were present but not overpowering, some flower aroma. I look forward to trying again next year.
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1/7/2022 - gteran76 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Brought to our CWG (blind). Opened at noon, placed in the fridge until 5:30pm, then quick double decant and consumed about one hour later.
The wine is dark, bright acidity, plenty of tannins and structure. It shows an old world profile, just getting into its drinking window. Solid finish.
Thankfully I have 10 more bottles to keep playing with it and see how it evolves in the years to come…
94+
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1/2/2022 - NEducatedGes Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always great, well structured fresh and balanced Chilean Bordeaux Blend of Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot! In its drinking range now!
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12/24/2021 - Sotto325 wrote: 91 Points
Nicely made wine for sure, and the carmenere is a nice detour from the traditional mixes of cab Franc, cab Sauvignon and Merlot. So the high score and wonderful reviews are potentially appropriate for this dark red/black wine that immediately gives off the sweet menthol, dark cherry, spicy mineral and mildly funky soil notes. But it’s just not my cup of tea, so to speak. Very modern style despite its French origins, a nice steak wine to be sure, and a smooth usually mellifluous passage on the palate. The darker notes reflect cab franc richness, while the Carmenere provides a spicy edge that creates more interest. But overall, drink now and return to the Rhône.
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12/22/2021 - AJBurt wrote: 95 Points
Considering the price paid for this, around $80 USD, this is a "BUY ON SIGHT & IN QUANTITY" kind of wine.
This is a great example of just how good Cab Sauv blends from South America can be. Distinct in that it carries that slightly green, pyrazinic note to it without being distracting. That, for me, is the key to this wine's current state and potential development.
It's got a gorgeous mouth-coating consistency without being hot or jammy. Tannins are present but not overwhelming. There's a sandalwood spice on the finish that's extremely appealing. Coffee, oak, vanilla, broad dark fruit profile.
Just a beautiful wine. Looking forward to seeing how this one develops.
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12/12/2021 - dmccann3 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Incredible wine. Opens over 30 minutes but fruit forward with a long finish.
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9/27/2021 - Carlos Fellipes Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 1 hour.
No formal notes taken.
The balance of the wine was extraordinarily between primary tertiary and tannin.
There is no wine with a better qpr than this. Went and bought a case immediately.
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8/20/2020 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent value! Great balance of fruit and graphite. Would never have guessed Chile. Deep wine with a medium finish. We decanted, but honestly should have PnP’d. I’ll be looking to try again!
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7/13/2019 - tkdlzhbb wrote: 91 Points
가격대비 조좋었음 ㅜ균형잡힘
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11/22/2018 - Kevnzworld wrote: 93 Points
Decanted an hour before dinner ( Seabourn)
A mouthful of dark berries green pepper and oak. The 15% alcohol leaves the long finish slightly hot.
There’s an initial sweetness on the palate that the pepper and tannin balance somewhat but it’s still slightly disconcerting. It’s a JS 96 but I give it 93 tonight
Since I wrote this we’ve drank this wine two more times. I like it more than I did initially. This wine is filled with interestingly complex flavors.
I would like to see how this evolves 5, 10 years from now.
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10/19/2018 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 95 Points
New York Wine Experience 2018 (New York Marriott Marquis): A note down from 6 months prior when we were at the Chateau. Clos Apalta is really a fantastic wine from Chile, showcasing Carmenere along with Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, and PV. This has notes of dark cherries, plum amazing acidity and a layered chocolate and a little spice for a finish. This is a little green as others have said, however, I found the balance excellent along with the acidity. Very enjoyable.
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10/18/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Wine Spectator newbies; 10/18/2018-10/20/2018 (Marriott Marquis): Lots and lots of very ripe green peppers. This has a hint of sweet and a hint of spice. It's a tasty wine.
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10/18/2018 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 97 Points
The 2013 Clos Apalta is an absolutely sensational showing in this vintage. Composed of predominately Carmenére along with Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Merlot and Petit Verdot this instantly impresses as it bursts open with an incredible range of complex aromatics incluing ripe blackberries, dark currents, blueberries and figs woven together with exotic spices, loam, violets, spring floral, cigar box, graphite, bell pepper and mocha all taking shape in this seductive red. Full-bodied, plush and remarkably concentrated, this continues to impress as it delivers penetrating layers of ripe dark fruits, spices and mocha notes all build on the long, supple finish. Overall, this is an utterly compelling wine, which will continue to impress for many years to come. (Best 2017-2034)
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10/14/2018 - EFrohmader Likes this wine: 92 Points
Chile Trip; 10/12/2018-10/14/2018 (Chile): Blackberry, cassis, clove, spice. Medium-plus body. Medium acidity & tannins. Medium-long finish.
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5/4/2018 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 91 Points
A lot of concentration, alcohol and oak. A typical Parker wine at its best. Too young but too heavy in my opinion. 91+
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2/11/2018 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 96 Points
On the nose wonderful notes of black fruits, once the wine hits the palate the magic really starts. Notes of blackberry, dark fruits and fresh earthy. Green bell pepper and blueberry pie notes sing! Soft tannins and a length which lasts forever. This organic wine is a blend of 70% Carmenere, 21% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2 % Petit Verdot.
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8/25/2017 - j30 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent and consistent with last note.
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