2018 Clos Apalta

64% Carmenère, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot. Deep ruby colour, with a spicy, leathery nose full of cool but ripe cherry and blackcurrant fruit. There is a touch of vine tomato, but this adds complexity and character without detracting from the fruit. The palate is luscious with dark-cherry fruit. The oak is sweet but measured, as are the fine, ripe tannins. There is just enough bite to leave a fresh impression on the long, black-fruited finish. Fine. (TP)

So aromatic and fresh with dried flowers, sweet tobacco and hints of straw. Red fruit, cloves and green peppercorns. Medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins that are very fresh and refined. Fine, silky and beautiful. Hints of minerals and granite to the dark fruit. Such gorgeous length and beauty. 64% carmenere, 18% cabernet franc and 18% merlot. Extremely long and poised. Cooler wine. From biodynamically grown grapes. Delicious to drink already, but another three to four years will make it even better.

There is a lot of Carmenere character on the nose of the 2018 Clos Apalta, which was produced with 64% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, a blend that is similar to the one used in 2016. The wine is not shy at all and hits the scale at 15% alcohol. It's showy, heady, hedonistic, aromatic, full-bodied and lush with abundant velvety tannins and a long and powerful finish where the notes of black peppercorns and tea and tobacco leaves dominate. This might not be a wine for everybody, but fans of the style will love it. 92,748 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2020.