Clos Apalta is a prestigious Chilean red wine from Casa Lapostolle, crafted from 100-year-old vines rooted in pre-phylloxera rootstock brought from Bordeaux in the 19th century. Located in the amphitheater-shaped slopes of Apalta Valley in the Colchagua region, this wine represents the pinnacle of Chilean winemaking under the guidance of legendary consultant Michel Rolland. The blend varies by vintage but typically features Carmenère as the dominant grape (48-68%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (19-26%), Merlot (15-25%), and small amounts of Petit Verdot (1-2%).

The wine is meticulously handcrafted with rigorous cluster sorting to ensure only the finest fruit is selected. It undergoes fermentation with indigenous yeasts for five to six weeks with manual punch-down in French oak vats, followed by malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels. The wine is then aged for 27 months in 85% new French oak barrels and 15% second-use barrels, creating a complex, concentrated wine with broad tannins and intense structure.

Tasting notes reveal a dark, rich red wine with purple hues and an expressive nose of black and red cherries, figs, plums, black olives, incense, cigar box, cocoa powder, Spanish chocolate, pencil shavings, graphite, and fine spices. The palate is juicy, bright, and full-bodied with a fine saline, savory twist, creamy texture, and abundant fine-grained tannins that envelop the palate. The finish is very long and finely tuned, with notes of liquorice, eucalyptus, herbs de Provence, white pepper, and a salty wet-stone minerality.

Clos Apalta has earned extraordinary critical acclaim throughout its history. The 2005 vintage was named Wine Spectator's #1 Wine of the Year in 2008, making it the only Chilean wine to earn this distinction. Recent vintages have consistently scored 94-100 points from top critics including James Suckling, Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck, and Wine Spectator. The wine is described as plushy, exotic, richly textured, complex, layered, sensational, and refined with real finesse.

This wine pairs beautifully with slow-roasted pork shoulder, braised short ribs, grilled flank steak, ribs, stews, chili, and even bacon cheeseburgers. The wine can be enjoyed now but has excellent aging potential of 15+ years. Serve at cellar temperature to fully appreciate its complexity and elegance.