Raspberry red color, nose of strawberry, raspberry and light oak. The first thing that hit me when I tasted this was how spicy it is. Spicier than the '00 and similar to a Zin. Taste of black cherry, raspberry and tobacco. Medium body with a moderate finish of warm toasty oak. Mild smooth tannins. This is not as dense or complex as the '00 which I rated here, I would rate this a 91.
I tried this again the next day and much to my surprise it was in the 92-93 point range. Much more complexity and balance, it probably just needed some air to open up. Considering the mild tannins I would suggest drinking this now or in the next 5 years but if you drink it now let it decant for 12-24 hours, it's considerably better.
Emilio, Just out of the curiosity. What did you pay for this? My store just received four/six packs this week @ $49/bottle. I've only had the 2000 and enjoyed that very much. A good friend of mine had the 1999 also and was floored by it....
Thanks for the TN. I have all my 99's sleeping and did not get any 00 (thanks to B2K). Glad to see the 01 vintage is worth picking up. Sounds like it will cellar but be drinkable in 2-3 years, my kind of wine
Posts: 1195 | Location: Sutton, MA, USA | Registered: Jan 15, 2003
Interesting comments regarding the tannins, ageability, etc. I have both the 2000 and 2001, haven't drunk either yet. Considering the pedigree of the wine, vineyard, consultant etc. I would guess this wine would age for a long time. Maybe the tannins are similar to those in Mondavi's Cab reserve. You may not think they are there in an 8 yr old bottle, but boy do they sneak up you after about 2 hours. Just curious.
I've had all the vintages of their lesser wine, the Cuvee Alexandra merlot, going back to 1994 ( some of which can come from the same vineyard ), and at 5-6 yrs old it's really just settling down with no signs of fading. By the way, it's a fantastic wine year in and year out.
Anyway, just a few thoughts, especially since it opened up quite a bit the next day.
Posts: 697 | Location: Buffalo , New York | Registered: Jul 19, 2002
Great tasting note emilio I was looking for just that. I got into the Clos Apalta about 2yrs ago and I just love it. I'm thinking about opening up my 99? Also, have any of you had the 97 lately? I have one bottle left and I'm looking to keep it for a little longer, do you think it's a good idea. This WS issue with the Clos Apalta @ #3 killed me! I was hoping to keep this wine a secret a little longer.
Posts: 137 | Location: ny | Registered: Sep 04, 2003
I paid $49.99 for it. I would say if you get if for $50.00 or less you're doing well. My guess is that after the #3 rating in Wine Spectator's top 100 for the '00 that the secret is out and this will be harder to find in the future and will go up in price as well.
Wineroute,
I didn't know about this wine until the '99 vintage (they didn't make a '98) so I can't even guess about the '97. I do know someone who tried it last year at a tasting though and he said it was a huge wine with a lot of life left, and this is someone that has tried all 4 different vintages. It should have plenty of life left. I do think the '99 will last at least 4-5 more years so I wouldn't be too anxious to open either one, maybe save them a little longer for a vertical
guy,
You may be right, because this wine was certainly better the next day. Usually wines have big tannins that you just can't miss and you know it will get better, but this one seemed to have the same tannins when I first opened it as it did a day later. I really can't explain the dynamics but the tannins seemed the same, just the taste, complexity and body of the wine was markedly better. Also agree about the Cuvee Alexandre Merlot, consistently an excellent wine every vintage. FYI, I just bought some of the '01 Syrah Cuvee Alexandre (this is their first vintage of this wine) and even though I haven't tried it, it comes very highly recommended.
Thanks for the notes Emilio. I am glad the 2001 is a good wine. I am having a bottle of the 2000 Clos Apalta tonight, so your posting couldn't have been more oportune.
I am a little surprised about the description you make. I have loved Clos Apalta's sheer power and density of the past and would hate it for it to be turned into an "elegant" wine. That style is not what Chile does best.
The '01 when first opened seemed quite a bit lighter than the '00, but by the next day it seemed to be more complex and pick up density. In any case I wouldn't put it in the catagory of an elegant wine, even when it was first opened. The '00 is definetely a more powerful wine but the '01 is no lightweight either.
I just opened mine yesterday, seems to be very different from your experience...
***
The wine was not decanted initially.
Nose of coffee laced with black cherry and vanilla. Creamy mouth feel with good weight. Black cherry, cocoa, chocolate and a touch of spice. Extremely balance of fruit and acid with silky tannin.
As the wine sat in the glass, it gained additional complexity and weight. Tannin is also showing a bit more.
Have half bottle left in decanter, will see how this develops.
Care to venture a score after finishing off the bottle?
I've had all vintages of Clos Apalta to date (except for the newly available 2001) and would love to hear your qualitative opinion vis a vis previous vintages.
What was the color of your wine. "Rasberry Red" doesn't sound right to me. I had the '00 earlier this week and it was black as night. It stained the decanter as I poured it. With a higher score, I can't imagine the '01 being thinner or lighter in style. And, knowing Michel Rolland's wines, they are usually not like that. The '00 was mindblowing. Huge wine with very balanced flavors, complexity, and structure. Nothing like a monster Aussie wine. This had Harlan nuances all over it. One of the best wines I've had in the past year.
-DRAB
So much wine.....so little time!!!
Posts: 5960 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: Jun 20, 2002
I find few bottles that AREN'T enjoyable young. Bordeaux is the exception (for me). This stuff has plenty of time ahead of it. But...you're in the looney bin if you pop it now and don't enjoy it. It's too fantastic to think otherwise. I have four bottles left of the '00. I'll open one every couple of years from here on out.
-DRAB
So much wine.....so little time!!!
Posts: 5960 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: Jun 20, 2002
This stuff is pretty damn tasty now, I say DRAB one and see for yourself. If you like it, you can still get more for a reasonable price while you still can.
With the 2000 vintage taking the honor of WS Top 100 #3 ranking with 94pts. I would be EXTREMLY surprised if the 2001 vintage at 95pts does not rank at least #3 when the 2004 WS Top 100 is announced.
Agree with last post. This an awesome wine with time to spare.
Don't want to jinx it, but would also not be suprised if this 95pt wine came in next year improved over 03 rating of #3. Spectator made a big deal that the 00 was the first Chilean wine to come in as a top 10 wine.
GKM
Posts: 206 | Location: Northern CA | Registered: May 20, 2002
Don't want to jinx it, but would also not be suprised if this 95pt wine came in next year improved over 03 rating of #3. Spectator made a big deal that the 00 was the first Chilean wine to come in as a top 10 wine.
GKM ______________________
Also the highest rated Chilean wine, I believe.
Posts: 120 | Location: San Jose, CA | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
I think the '00 is darker in comparison to the '01. Maybe Raspberry red was a poor description on my part as the wine is extremely dark but held up to the light has a raspberry red rim to it. I just thought the '00 was a little denser, darker and "inkier" than the '01 but as I mentioned the '01 took on a lot of the same traits after being opened a while which is when I thought it was at it's very best. I thought the '00 was just a shade better for my taste than the '01 but I don't think you can go wrong either way as both are great wines.
I'll look forward to your notes when you get to compare them side by side. Are they going to be decanted or will they be tasted right out of the bottle?
Casa Lapostolle- Clos Apalta- 2001 This is gorgeous wine. Highly nuanced and delineated aromas fill the room as it is decanted. Boysenberry and red raspberry liqueur barrage the nose and palate with pinpoint accuracy. The sweet fruits are perfectly balanced with an immensely complex underbelly of mineral, banana, mint, vanilla, cinnamon spice and bitter chocolate. Its palate has a wonderfully soft feel which hides the well integrated tannins lying beneath. The wine completely coats the palate with its extraction and richness but still retains a wonderful sense of refinement. The 45 second finish doesn't hurt. This wonderful wine displays the potential of Chile to the fullest.
94 points
-Brettay
Posts: 734 | Location: Novato, CA | Registered: Dec 25, 2002
