Awards/Ratings

Critic scores: Wine Spectator 93, Wine Enthusiast 94, Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) 91, James Suckling ~94–96 (sources vary). Clos Apalta (estate) named #1 Wine of the Year (Wine Spectator) for its 2005 vintage

Tasting Note

Dense, inky red with ripe black-fruit (plum, blackberry), dried fig, spice and dark chocolate. Velvety, polished tannins, full-bodied with a rich, long finish and savory cedar/black pepper notes.

Food Pairing

Western: grilled/roast lamb, entrecôte, game, aged hard cheeses. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi), Sichuan-style beef, char siu, hoisin/soy glazed duck, spicy teriyaki dishes.

Production Method

Hand-harvested; 100% hand de-stemmed; native-yeast fermentations with 4–5 week maceration; aged 24 months in 225L new French oak; not fined or filtered.

Vineyard Info

Created by the Lapostolle (Bournet-Lapostolle) family; gravity-fed winery in Apalta, organic and biodynamic certified vineyards, some pre-phylloxera vines dating to early 20th century.