Clos Apalta 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Clos Apalta 2023

Tasting Notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a deep, dark red hue, enhanced by delicate violet glints at the edges.

Nose
Particularly expressive and intense, the aromatic bouquet opens with notes of well-ripened black fruit. Aromas of black cherry, plum and licorice intertwine harmoniously, giving way to a finish marked by fresh spices and perfectly integrated oak.

Palate
The texture reveals great elegance, carried by tannins that are both refined and velvety. The whole shines with freshness and stretches into an exceptionally long finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
This great red wine pairs wonderfully with full-flavored meats, such as duck breast or leg of lamb. It will also brilliantly accompany potato-based dishes as well as lightly sweetened dark chocolate desserts.

Serving and Aging
To fully appreciate this vintage, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 17°C, after decanting or aerating it for thirty minutes to an hour. Built to last, it can be cellared and enjoyed until approximately 2045.

The Excellence of a Great Chilean Cru

The Estate
Created in 1997 by the Bournet Marnier Lapostolle family, Clos Apalta quickly established itself as an unmissable reference in South America. Located in the Central Valley, this exceptional estate spans 140 hectares. Today, Charles-Henri de Bournet heads the estate, carrying on the Franco-Chilean rigor and expertise of his parents. A true flagship of the brand, this vineyard stands out for its biodynamic practices and its spectacular gravity-flow cellar, producing wines of remarkable longevity and complexity.

The Vineyard
Nestled in the Apalta Valley, about 170 kilometers southwest of Santiago, this Chilean vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir. The 53 hectares selected for this cuvée range in altitude from 185 to 365 meters. The soils, very old and of granitic origin, consist of well-drained, stone-rich slopes, with clay subsoils and sandy-loam areas. Protected by the surrounding hills and influenced by the Tinguiririca River, the vines benefit from a semi-dry Mediterranean climate and a rare north-south exposure. Farmed organically, this terroir naturally limits yields to 20 hl/ha.

The Vintage
The year 2023 was marked by an early and particularly warm season. Winter saw rainfall below historical averages, though higher than the previous year, accompanied by rather cool temperatures. From mid-October onward, spring gave way to heat waves. Thanks to careful management, disease pressure remained very low, allowing for an early hand harvest and grapes of impeccable sanitary quality.

Winemaking and Aging
Production begins with a five- to six-week maceration, punctuated by manual punch-downs. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature between 28 and 30°C, split 85% in French oak vats and 15% in French oak barrels. The wine is then aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, 70% new and 30% one-wine barrels.

Grape Varieties
66% Carmenère
21% Cabernet Sauvignon
13% Merlot