JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS - "A pretty profound nose with hints of mineral, wild herbs, violets and asphalt on top of the currants and blackberries. A twist of herbs and cocoa powder. Medium- to full-bodied with a supple, round mid-palate and a juicy, sleek finish. Tannins are soft and really polished. Pleasing, but pretty dry. Nothing sweet here. Beautiful balance. 55% malbec, 16% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 9% syrah, 3% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc."
Argentina continues to put out wines that offer good value, and it's more than just Malbec. That lesser-known Bordeaux variety might have helped garner them recognition, but many of the best wines here (and in the rest of the world for that matter) rely on the art of blending other varieties to create a more complex and balanced whole. That was fundamental to the "Clos de los Siete" wine project, whose aim was to make a well-priced, widely distributed wine that was also high in quality.
The project's founder, Michel Roland, built his world-famous reputation as a winemaking consultant and master blender, bringing many wineries up to the standards of the modern wine palate, and helping launch new wines. His first step toward "Clos de los Siete" came when he helped find a large enough site in the high-altitude foothills of the Andes mountains that could grow high-quality grapes (which would become the "clos," the French term for an enclosed vineyard). The next step was to bring in six winemaking friends, forming the "siete" (seven), whose four separate wineries could help to vinify the various plots in smaller batches from which Michel would create a final wine.
Bright berry aromas of blackberries and black cherry lead the way, with hints of cedar and vanilla from the aging in small French oak barrels. In the mouth, the sweetness of fruit leads the way, but it is quickly apparent that there is a beautiful line of balancing acidity, attributed to the cool high-altitude nights in the Uco Valley. Juicy and medium-full in body, the palate has flavors reminiscent of woodsy undergrowth accompanying the berries and subtle creamy vanilla. The finish is clean and dry, with tangy fruit and light tannin that is soft due to the perfectly ripened fruit. We suggest drinking a wine like this on the cooler side (around 62F) for maximum enjoyment!
Argentina continues to put out wines that offer good value, and it's more than just Malbec. That lesser-known Bordeaux variety might have helped garner them recognition, but many of the best wines here (and in the rest of the world for that matter) rely on the art of blending other varieties to create a more complex and balanced whole. That was fundamental to the "Clos de los Siete" wine project, whose aim was to make a well-priced, widely distributed wine that was also high in quality.
The project's founder, Michel Roland, built his world-famous reputation as a winemaking consultant and master blender, bringing many wineries up to the standards of the modern wine palate, and helping launch new wines. His first step toward "Clos de los Siete" came when he helped find a large enough site in the high-altitude foothills of the Andes mountains that could grow high-quality grapes (which would become the "clos," the French term for an enclosed vineyard). The next step was to bring in six winemaking friends, forming the "siete" (seven), whose four separate wineries could help to vinify the various plots in smaller batches from which Michel would create a final wine.
Bright berry aromas of blackberries and black cherry lead the way, with hints of cedar and vanilla from the aging in small French oak barrels. In the mouth, the sweetness of fruit leads the way, but it is quickly apparent that there is a beautiful line of balancing acidity, attributed to the cool high-altitude nights in the Uco Valley. Juicy and medium-full in body, the palate has flavors reminiscent of woodsy undergrowth accompanying the berries and subtle creamy vanilla. The finish is clean and dry, with tangy fruit and light tannin that is soft due to the perfectly ripened fruit. We suggest drinking a wine like this on the cooler side (around 62F) for maximum enjoyment!
Overall Rating
0 out of 5 Based on 0 Review
