Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2014

Clos Apalta 2014 is a landmark Chilean red and one of the defining wines of the Apalta Valley in Colchagua, built around old-vine Carmenère and produced in a distinctly Bordeaux-inspired style. The 2014 blend is 48% Carmenère, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Merlot. A cooler finish to the growing season allowed the grapes to ripen slowly while retaining acidity and aromatic freshness.

The wine is rich and deeply layered, showing cassis, blackberry, fig, cinnamon, licorice, and toasted nut, with a creamy attack, polished tannins, and an exceptionally long, elegant finish. It was aged for 28 months in 100% new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. A serious collector's vintage with excellent bottle age already in place.