2014 Clos Apalta
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Tasting notes
48% Carmenère, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot. Aged for 28 months in 100% new French oak. Stunning nose: there's a quality to the fruit that is so distinctive and characterful. It has lovely mossy earthiness too, almost more mature than the 2012 – although the structure is certainly firmer. Attractive charred-meat character adds an animal complexity. Another superstar vintage for this wine. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A library release from the estate at its 10 year window. The 100% new oak remains present and smoky even at the decade mark (today they have brought that down to around 75% new) but it softens to show beautiful creamy damson fruit with pencil lead and liqourice, plenty of density through the mid palate to keep momentum, and this easily has another decade ahead of it . A relatievely cool vintage but there is still a flash of heat on finish. The label says 'Vinothèque, this bottle was released from the cellar of Clos Apalta in 2022'. 100% new oak ageing, unfiltered and unfined.
The 2014 Clos Apalta is composed of 48% Carmenère, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot and has lots of tannins and some astringency. It really suffers when compared with the 2015, which feels longer and has a different quality of tannins, but I prefer both to the 2013. This matured in 100% new French oak barrels for 26 months. 62,388 bottles were filled in June 2016.
An extremely aromatic and focused Clos Apalta with blackberry, blueberry, floral and hot stone character. Full body, very linear and ultra-fine tannins. Focused and tight. Precise and long. This is the most polished and beautiful definition of this wine ever. You want to drink it now but better in 2020. A blend of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
About the producer
Chile’s Clos Apalta is arguably South America’s most successful estate, garnering praise from the world’s leading wine critics and connoisseurs. The 2005 vintage was named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year – the only South American wine to do so – and the wines continue to impress.