Wine Article
2017 Clos Apalta
Last edited on 1/12/2021 by LindsayM
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If you've not looked closely at the best wines of Chile before, then now is the time to start. Not only does Clos Apalta represent the best of Chile, but it also shows what a majority Carmenere wine can achieve. Clos Apalta is the flagship wine of the Marnier-Lapostolle family, owners of Grand Marnier and Chateau de Sancerre in France, and since its debut vintage in 1997 has gone from strength to strength. Many of the vines are ungrafted thanks to the estate's geographical protection from the phyloxerra louse, with the average vine age now pushing 100 years-old. In addition, Bordelais techniques including high density planting combine with organic and biodynamic vineyard treatment and the natural benefits of the region – warm days, cool nights, plenty of natural irrigation" to create a wine of power, poise and polish. These days, Clos Apalta is treated not unlike the great estates of Bordeaux. The vineyard itself, accounting for only 2% of the entire Lapostolle production, is a glorious bio-dynamic haven where foxes duck beneath trees, flowers and foliage line the vineyards and the snow-capped Andes tower over the vast estate, cocooning the natural north-south facing amphitheatre, ensuring the grapes ripen both evenly and slowly. The winemaking is ably assisted by flying-vigneron Michel Rolland, and the wine is traditionally sold and marketed in France itself. Given it's pedigree and the recent achievements of Clos Apalta, it has also found itself a willing participant in the annual Bordeaux en primeur offering, meaning allocations are getting tight, and the price is shooting off into the stratosphere.
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 in bottle and enjoy in its 10th birthday with powerful food
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 in bottle and enjoy in its 10th birthday with powerful food