Lapostolle Apalta 2021 750ml

Product Info

98pts Vinous Media
The 2021 Clos Apalta comprises 75% Carménère, with the remainder filled out by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, sourced from the eponymous Apalta Vineyard. It was aged for 24 months in oak barrels, two-thirds of which were new. This dark purple wine reveals nuanced aromas of graphite, herbs, dried plums and blackberry marmalade, complemented by mint, boldo and garrigue-like notes over a green bell pepper layer. Plush and ample on the palate, it is lifted by a mild refreshing quality that adds a rare nimbleness to its flow. This long-lasting red is a serious wine, less influenced by Michel Rolland's style than in other years, as the fresh vintage imparted a lighter, less ripe and more expressive character. Clos Apalta is one of those rare Chilean wines that reliably showcases the characteristics of each vintage while maintaining a consistent house. Drinking Window 2028 - 2040

91pts Wine Advocate
The blend of the 2021 Apalta is quite different from the 2019 I tasted last time, with 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 10% Carmenere, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Syrah. It has a lot less Cabernet and more Merlot but still with a pristine and pure Bordeaux nose, herbal, spicy and peppery. It's medium to full-bodied but fine-boned with elegant tannins. It's impressive, and even more so when you look at the price tag. 120,480 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2022. 

Lapostolle is the winery from the second generation of the Marnier family, represented by Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle. They have vineyards in Apalta and produce 1.2 million bottles. Winemaker Andrea León is in charge of the wines. They produce an outstanding Vigno from old Cariñena in the Empedrado part of Maule. Published: Apr 06, 2023. Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Clos Apalta is crafted under the direction of Michel Rolland with extremely meticulous vineyard work and low-intervention cellar practices. Grapes are hand-harvested plot by plot, destemmed manually, and fermented in a combination of small oak vats and concrete tanks using native yeasts. Extraction is gentle and precise, aimed at achieving velvet-like tannins rather than sheer power. The blend in 2021 is dominated by Carménère, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for structure and aromatic lift. The wine is aged for 22–24 months in 100% French oak, a high proportion of which is new, though the élevage is so expertly judged that oak integrates seamlessly into the structural core. It is bottled unfiltered, preserving natural density and purity. Alcohol lands at 15%, held in perfect balance by the wine’s freshness and vertical tension.

Tasting Notes
The 2021 Clos Apalta opens with a dark, seductive bouquet of black plum, boysenberry, cassis, and blueberry liqueur, layered with violet, cacao nib, roasted coffee, tobacco leaf, black pepper, and cedar. On the palate, it is broad, deep, and velvet-textured, delivering waves of ripe black fruits, dried fig, fresh blackberry, and black cherry compote, interlaced with savory undertones of graphite, wild herbs, smoked paprika, and dark chocolate. The tannins are ultra-fine yet firm, providing architecture and precision, while the cool vintage acidity injects energy and lift. As it moves across the palate, the wine reveals increasing complexity—licorice root, crushed basalt, espresso, and spice box—leading to a finish that is long, stately, and persistent, with lingering notes of violet, sandalwood, and mineral dust. It is a wine of power, elegance, and layered detail, built for extended aging.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 60–64 °F (16–18 °C) after a 90-minute decant to unveil its full aromatic and structural depth. Clos Apalta excels alongside richly flavored dishes: herb-crusted lamb, braised short ribs, dry-aged ribeye, or wild boar ragù are ideal. For a Chilean-inspired pairing, try slow-roasted pork with merken spice or charcoal-grilled beef anticuchos. Earth-driven sides like mushroom gratin, roasted squash, or black lentils with thyme harmonize beautifully with the wine’s savory elements.
While already breathtaking, Clos Apalta 2021 will reward patience—drink now through 2045 as it evolves toward more truffle, leather, and cigar-box nuances.