2021 Clos Apalta 'Le Petit Clos' Red Blend

Aromas of ripe blackberry, blueberry, and red plum integrate with notes of sandalwood, black olives, and dried violets. The palate is full-bodied and exceptionally silky, featuring a dense core of dark fruit supported by a refined structural framework. It displays a polished elegance with fine-grained tannins and a balanced acidity that carries the fruit through a long, spice-tinged finish.

The winemaking team utilizes a blend that is typically dominated by Carmenere, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the cellar, the fruit is entirely hand-destemmed before being fermented with native yeasts in small French oak vats. The wine matures for 6 months in new French oak barrels and then spends an additional 18 months in a mix of new and second-use barrels. This meticulous aging process allows the intense Carmenere fruit to soften and integrate with the structured tannins of the Cabernet.

The fruit is grown in the Apalta Vineyard within the Colchagua Valley of Chile. The site is defined by its unique horseshoe shape, surrounded by hills that protect the vines from extreme weather. The soils are predominantly granite with varying amounts of clay, which is ideal for Carmenere. This vineyard is managed using biodynamic principles, and the cooling influence of the nearby Tinguiririca River helps the grapes maintain the freshness and aromatic complexity that define this second label of the prestigious Clos Apalta estate.