The powerful 2013 Clos Apalta is a blend of 70% Carmenère, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. The grapes were hand-destemmed by 80 women and put to ferment in vats and barriques with native yeasts and aged in 100% new barrels for 28 months. There is more freshness in the 2013 vintage with some perfumed aromas under the thick layer of oak-related aromas of smoke, sweet spices and roasted coffee, quite spicy in the style of 2011. The palate shows abundant tannins and some dryness with a final taste that reminded me of cigar ash. Very faithful to the style of the bottling, with the compensating freshness of the cool year with more Cabernet (as all cool years). 57,696 bottles produced.

70% Carmenère, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Dark chocolate, mint, black cherry, cassis – so luscious and luxurious! Really thick-set and textural. On the palate, long and fruit-driven, complemented by oak and juicy fruit. Unmistakably New World, with that Carmenère greenness, but all in a good way. (RH)