98 points James Suckling
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.
97 points Decanter
In 2019 Andrea León achieved superlative results at Clos Apalta with a blend of 64% Carmenere, Cabernet Franc and Merlot aged for 25 months in French barrels. This is a luxurious red with an aromatic profile of liquorice and black and redcurrant over layers of graphite, clove and cinnamon. In the mouth, the breadth and freshness are brought together by the silky texture which flows into an enjoyable finish with refined tannins.
96 points Robert Parker's Wine
Advocate
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.- LG
