Clos Apalta "Vinotheque" 2012

Critical Acclaim: 96 pts Wilfred Wong; 94 pts Wine Enthusiast; 94 pts James Suckling; 93 pts Wine Spectator; 91 pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: The color is a dark and deep inky purple red color. There is a complex nose opening towards ripe and expressive red and black fruit, such as plums, red cherries, dry figs and blueberries. Spices such as clover and black pepper. With a concentrated structure, this wine has a round attack followed by velvety and polished tannins filling the mid palate and a ripe and rich long lasting finish.

"One of my top red wine experiences of 2016, the 2012 Clos Apalta just sails onto the palate with seamless energy. Intense, yet stylish, this wine's tremendous persistence of red fruit and sweet oak starts out strong and continues through its long and smooth finish. Just starting to drink well."- Wilfred Wong. 

"Lusty notes of coconut, charcoal, vanilla and herbs grace core blackberry and cassis aromas. This is massive and widespread on the palate, but the key to its success is impeccable balance. Toasty, minty flavors of blackberry and cassis are chocolaty and lightly herbal, while the finish blends lushness, power, heft and smoky, herbal flavors that go on and on."- Wine Enthusiast. 

"Plenty of spice and blackberry with some dried potpourri. Underlying cedar character as well. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Slightly dry tannins at the end."- James Suckling. 

"A dense, ripe and powerful style, with concentrated flavors of dark plum, blackberry and chocolate. Very plush and creamy midpalate, with a rich finish loaded with espresso notes, along with medium-grained tannins."- Wine Spectator. 

"The 2012 Clos Apalta started off a little closed, but with air, the spicy aromas seemed to dominate (cloves, black pepper); there are also lots of smoky notes over a core of ripe black fruit with a volatile hint. It feels young and greatly marked by its two years in new French oak barrels. The palate is still young and tannic, and the finish is a little dry. There's not a lot of fruit in there and it somehow feels like it lacks a bit in the mid palate. For fans of the style, but even though, you should wait to pull the cork."- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. 

Varietal: 66% Carmenère, 19% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.