Jamessuckling.com | JS 100
Published: Feb 17, 2018

There is a subtle complexity on the nose with currant, berry, fresh herb and wet earth aromas. Cut fresh flowers, too. Full body, dense and powerful. Incredible character here with such purity and polish. It goes on for minutes. Formed, sculptured yet soulful. A monumental wine for Chile. Unbelievable. More powerful than the 2014 which was 100 points. A blend of 46% carmenere, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 5% cabernet franc. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Better in 2022.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95
Published: Sep 6, 2018
Drink: 2018-2030

Despite the warm and dry character of the year, I find the 2015 Clos Apalta, a blend of 57% Carménère, 26% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, to be less marked by the Carménère and with more integrated oak and better freshness. There is more Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's spicy and herbal while ripe and powerful, full-bodied and with plenty of dusty tannins. It has a strong personality, and I find more balance here. 73,452 bottles produced.

Clos Apalta is now a completely separate project from Lapostolle, with its own vineyards and vineyard and winemaking team led by Jacques Begarie. They sell their wines, a first red and a second red, in the manner of Bordeaux and behave like a Bordeaux property in all senses.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Jun 25, 2024
Drink: 2022–2035

46% Carmenère, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 26 months in 100% new French oak.
Strong salinity on the nose here, lots of petrichor. Suppressed fruit. Less tannic heft than the 2014, making it more developed for drinking now, although it certainly has decades of bottle ageing to go. The most European of the vintages so far, it seems to me.