Clos Apalta - Apalta 2019

Vinous

96 / 100

par Joaquin Hidalgo le 27/09/2022

The 2019 Clos Apalta from Apalta, Colchagua, was aged for 24 months in 90% new French barrels. Dark purple in the glass. The complex, nuanced nose offers mild notes of mint, pyrazines, ash and ripe dark fruit such as blackberry and blueberry with hints of undergrowth and tobacco, cedar and other aromas from the aging process. In the mouth, it’s indulgent and compact initially with refined, slightly reactive, young tannins, an expansive flow and a rich palate that delivers herbal flavors before the sustained, fruity finish. The good year has helped to enhance the depth of an already accomplished red with a well-proven ripe style.

Anthocyanes

96 / 100

par Yohan Castaing le 09/09/2022

Clos Apalta est beaucoup plus expressif que Le Petit Clos et possède des notes imposantes de violette, de myrtille, de fusain ainsi qu'un beau boisé et une fraicheur mentholée très élégante. Bouche dense et tannique, un bel équilibre dans la puissance avec une tension bienvenue qui tend l'ensemble sans toutefois laisser de côté son expression tannique. Un vin alliant fraicheur et densité de bouche. Très belle bouteille pour une garde de 20 à 30 ans.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Luis Gutierrez le 31/08/2022

The 2019 Clos Apalta was produced with a blend of 70% Carmenere, 18% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, extremely high in Carmenere and low in Cabernet Sauvignon in a ripe and warm year. It fermented with indigenous yeasts for four to five weeks, with manual punch-down of the cap, 67% in 7,500-liter French oak vats and 33% in new French oak barrels followed by malolactic in new French oak barrels. The élevage was 24 months in 90% new barrels and 10% second use. It's powerful, big and ripe, with 15% alcohol and a pH of 3.57. It's creamy and juicy, with very high ripeness and a notable absence of herbal notes; it's oaky, smoky and decadent, coming through as luxurious, round, lush and velvety. It's full-bodied and has abundant, small and powdery tannins. 103,944 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2021.

Jane Anson

97 / 100

par Jane Anson le 02/07/2022

This is more sculpted and cerebral than the Petit Clos, so if you are looking for exuberance and punch, go for the 2nd wine, but this takes things up a level. Star bright blueberry and cassis fruits, raspberry leaf, white pepper cocoa bean and lemongrass and a ton of slate-scrape tannins. A brilliant wine from a warm and dry vintage, that they have successfully navigated. One of the highest proportions of Carménère to date, with 90% new oak for ageing, then one year in bottle before release.

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

par James Suckling le 08/06/2022

A generous array of ripe black and blue fruit with pink peppercorns, green olives, dried flowers, toffee and chocolate orange. It’s full-bodied with firm, creamy and velvety tannins. Long and polished. Lovely salted caramel and olives at the end. Keeps going. Unfolds on the finish. 70% carmenere, 18% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold.