Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta
2016
750ml
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Wine Type:
Red
Varietal:
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100% Bordeaux Blend Red
Region, Subregion, Country:
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Colchagua Valley, Chile
Appellation:
Apalta
Alcohol Level:
14%
Description:
64% Carmenère, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. The 2016 season began with a dry winter (484 mm v 610 mm on average between May and September). The heaviest rainfall was in August, with 239 mm. Spring was cooler and had more rainfall than normal, in particular from mid-September to mid-November, resulting in coulure and millerandage (poor fruit set). After fruit set, the estate noted a fall in yields due to loose, light bunches. Summer was particularly hot and dry. February 2016 was one of the hottest in recent years, with diurnal temperature variations approaching 30 °C (37.5 °C in the day and 7.7 °C at night). Temperatures fell significantly in March with the autumnal equinox, and April brought unusually heavy rainfall (117 mm from 14 to 17 March). In short, budding was delayed due to a cold spring and the arrival of El Niño. With delays to flowering and fruit set, the 2016 season saw most phenological stages lagging behind, but a hot summer with excellent conditions helped to produce beautiful grapes. Harvest 18 March to 28 April.Deep purple. Very sweet and ripe on the nose – almost animal. Very sweet indeed with a little green streak. A more awkward, less-integrated wine than the Petit Clos. Rather heavy, hot finish and drying tannins on the end. Looks more youthful than the Petit Clos. Jancis Robinson
Winery:
Casa LapostolleCasa Lapostolle was established in 1994 and is already one of Chile's leading wine producers. It is owned by the Marnier-Lapostolle family, producers of the famous Grand-Marnier liqueur, and is managed by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle. The operation is located in the Colchagua valley in the Rapel district and the company now has over 500 hectares of vineyards at its disposal. The wines, unsurprisingly, marry the natural benevolence for which Chile is so famous, with an elegance and subtlety, which has been nurtured by Bordelais wine-making guru, Michel Rolland. The elegance and complexity is underlined by blending; their Cab. Sauvignon contains 15% Malbec that refines the tannic structure and adds a savoury backdrop to the generous fruit.Casa Lapostolle is most renowned for the outstanding quality of its Merlot. This is Michel Roland's signature grape and is also the most successfully grown grape in the Colchagua valley. The Merlot Cuvée Alexande is a rich, dense and opulent wine that is packed with succulent, ripe, black fruits with hints of chocolate and Asian spices.
Style:
Full-bodied oaked
Dominant Flavour:
Black Fruit
Leather
Red Fruit
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