2022 Clos Apalta
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Tasting notes
68% Carmenère, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. ‘The 2022 vintage in Apalta experienced cooler conditions, slightly smaller yields, and a slightly longer growing season.’ Harvest 13 March to 23 April. Fermented at 28–30 °C, 90% in 75-hl French oak vats, 10% in 225-litre barriques. 5–6 weeks’ maceration with manual punchdowns. Aged for 21 months in French oak barrels, 73% new, 27% second use. Bottled without fining or filtration 30 June 2024. Rich and generous on the nose. Rather like the Rolland 100% Merlot that Clos Apalta used to be, I think! Just a little dustiness on the nose but much riper Carmenère than most. Almost light and fresh on the finish! (JR)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Colin Hay, The Drinks Business
More reviews and scores
A particularly pretty and floral expression of Clos Apalta, the 2022 Clos Apalta is beautifully lush and expressive on the nose, combining a deep core of black and blue fruit aromas with pencil lead, camphor and bramble accents, developing dried purple flower notes that continue to gain volume with aeration. The palate displays the house's quintessentially lavish yet graceful style before concluding with a long, staining, and saturated finish that blends sweet fruits with a toasty, oak-driven backbone, polished tannins and bright acidity. As always, this is quite a stylized expression of Apalta but one that retains a sense of nuance. This blend of 68% Carménère, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot fermented and aged in a mix of barrique, puncheon and large cask.
Deep ruby colour, confident unrolling of cocoa bean, intense liqourice root, espresso, smoked caramel, creamy blackberry fruits, black pepper and baking spice. This has lift and grip, full of life and welcome. 78% new oak for ageing, Andrea Léon technical director, organically farmed.
The 2022 Clos Apalta is 68% Carménère, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from Apalta. This aged primarily in French oak vats with 10% of the blend in 225-liter Bordeaux barrels. It opens with black fruit, a delicate ash note, underbrush, boldo and gentle spice over subtle oak. Blueberry, blackberry and sour cherry aromas complete the aromatic profile. On the palate, this is dry for the house style, with medium structure, refined grip and juicy flow. The finish is long and finely tuned. This vintage offers a more restrained version of Clos Apalta. It's less opulent than usual but with captivating nuance and poise. The 2022 is a terroir-driven response to a cooler year.
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.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah / Shiraz, Carmenere, Merlot
Red
Dry