Clos Apalta 2021
(Colchagua Valley, Chile) - [JS 100] [VM 98] [WS 96, #6 of '25] [WA 95] [JR 17.5++]

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About the Winery:
One of the oldest vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère in Chile, if not in the world, Clos Apalta is named for the unique location in which it sits. Protected from the elements and tucked away in the Colchagua Valley near the town of Santa Cruz, this clos, or enclosed vineyard, benefits from a distinct micro-climate, surrounded on three sides by the horseshoe shaped Andean foothills, and on the fourth side by the Tinguiririca River. The origins of the vineyard date back to the 1910s, when a visionary selected the Apalta Valley for its extraordinary terroir and planted the first vines using unique French massal selection.

In 1994 Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet first arrived in Chile’s Colchagua Valley and quickly realized its potential for producing world-class wines. This ideal setting was home to vines originating from pre-phylloxera rootstock brought from Bordeaux in the middle of the 19th century, and Michel Rolland was engaged to help bring the vineyard back to life.

Estate owner Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet have produced their flagship wine, the "Clos Apalta," with outstanding results every year since the wine's 1997 debut.

About this Wine:

APPELLATION: Apalta

BLEND: 75% Carmenère, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot

AGEING 21 months in French oak barrels, 78% new, 22% second use. Neither fined nor filtered.

Tasting Notes:
COLOR: Beautiful dark purple robe with dark violet edges.
NOSE: Expressive nose with red fruit such as black and red cherry, figs and plums. with a spicy and black pepper notes.
PALATE: Dense and concentrated palate that opens towards freshness and more spicy flavors, with elegance and depth. Very long finish.

Ratings & Reviews

100 Points - James Suckling:
"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. Best after 2028." (Feb 2024)

98 Points - Vinous Media:
"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. – Joaquin Hidalgo (Jul 2024)

96 Points & #6 Top 100 of 2025 - Wine Spectator:
"Aromatically complex and intriguing, this offers a spiced plum pastry note that melds with petrichor, pine, dried violet and cocoa powder elements. The palate is round and richly textured, with Szechuan peppercorn accents to the concentrated black cherry, plum and cassis center. Everything comes together harmoniously on the finish and lingers, with present but integrated tannins. A stunner that should develop nicely in the cellar. Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2040. 11,169 cases made, 1,500 cases imported." - Aaron Romano (May 2025)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Clos Apalta consists of 75% Carménère, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, aged for 24 months in 75% new French oak. It opens with a rich, lavish and inviting bouquet of black fruits, purple flowers, pipe tobacco and graphite. The palate is smooth and velvety, revealing its ripe, vibrant character while maintaining a sense of sophistication. It concludes with a focused, lively finish of ripe fruits and polished tannins. While it distinctly emphasizes its luxurious profile, it does so without completely overshadowing its origins, something not all who chase this style accomplish." - Matthew Luczy (Mar 2025)

17.5++/20 - Jancis Robinson:
"The oak is masking the fruit at this stage, but older vintages prove that this will settle and balance before long. Smoke, granite, black cherry, fresh acid, finely ground tannin and warm, full body that is kept bright from fresh acid. This is very much a provisional score – there's more to come." (Jun 2024)