2018 Clos Apalta

2018 Clos Apalta is a blend of 64% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Merlot. Following on from the dry 2017 vintage, 2018 started with a wet winter which allowed for sufficient accumulation of water in the soil, and once temperatures rose through summer the vines were well supported through to harvest. What resulted was a wine with healthy production, generous flavours, and relatively moderate alcohol levels with excellent freshness. 2018 is considered one of the all-time great vintages in Chile, and this release of Clos Apalta further adds to this assertion.

Other Reviews....
There is a lot of Carmenere character on the nose of the 2018 Clos Apalta, which was produced with 64% Carmenere, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot, a blend that is similar to the one used in 2016. The wine is not shy at all and hits the scale at 15% alcohol. It's showy, heady, hedonistic, aromatic, full-bodied and lush with abundant velvety tannins and a long and powerful finish where the notes of black peppercorns and tea and tobacco leaves dominate. This might not be a wine for everybody, but fans of the style will love it. 92,748 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2020. Drink 2022 - 2030.
96 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Sept 2021)

So aromatic and fresh with dried flowers, sweet tobacco and hints of straw. Red fruit, cloves and green peppercorns. Medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins that are very fresh and refined. Fine, silky and beautiful. Hints of minerals and granite to the dark fruit. Such gorgeous length and beauty. 64% carmenere, 18% cabernet franc and 18% merlot. Extremely long and poised. Cooler wine. From biodynamically grown grapes. Delicious to drink already, but another three to four years will make it even better.
98 points
James Suckling