2018 Clos De Los Siete Red Blend

2018 Clos De Los Siete Red

Clos de los Siete 2018 has a beautiful deep red color with glints of ruby. The nose is characterized by intense, complex aromatic expression with scents of dark fruit, blackberries and blueberries, and floral notes accompanied by delicate hints of spice. The palate is generous, silky and full-bodied. The blend presents a remarkable balance between well-rounded tannins, intense fruit, and good concentration. This wine has a characteristic freshness and beautiful length on the palate. Seductive, elegant and complex, it has great potential to improve with age. Wine Spectator

Ripe plum, black cherry, lavender and cocoa on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and rounded with a plush, deep core of dark fruit. Lingering crushed-hazelnut notes on a long, concentrated finish. Drink or hold. Suckling

I think the 2018 Clos de Los Siete is the finest vintage of this blend that I’ve tasted so far. In this cooler year, it’s a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It has good ripeness (14.5%), juicy but fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and fine tannins. Seventy percent of the wine matured in 225-liter French barriques for 11 months. Instant gratification at a great price. WA

Group of Seven: They are: Laurent Dassault, also from Bordeaux, whose family are the owners of Dassault Aviation, well known in France for the construction aircraft, including the famous Falcon passenger jet and Mirage fighter; Benjamin de Rothschild, of Chateau Clarke in Bordeaux, and the financing company, Edmond de Rothschild; the family Cuvelier from the St Julien property of Chateau Léoville Poyferré; the family d’Aulan of the Champagne house Piper Heidsick; Catherine Péré Vergé, former owner of the crystal manufacturer Cristal d’Arque, but also with interests in Bordeaux with Chateau Montviel,  Chateau La Gravière and Chateau Le gay in Pomerol. The Rolland/Schell pair and a family who wish to remain anonymous make up the seven. Michelle Rolland and Jean Michel Arcaute started the venture.

This is my go to recommendation for a house red that never disappoints. Great for all occasions and a definite crowd pleaser that will also satisfy the most educated palate. Quite simply this is an absolutely mind blowing red at the price. The wine is a joint venture by some of the most influential in the wine business who looked to the world to find a place where they could make great wine at reasonable prices. They chose Mendoza, Argentina called the venture Clos de Los Siete, the group of seven. We are talking Benjamin de Rothschild and Edmond de Rothschild, owners of Chateau Leoville Poyferre and Chateau Dassault and possibly the greatest winemaker in the world Michel Rolland (see below for more info on the group of seven). The wine is a of Bordeaux varietals with Argentina’s most important Malbec as the wines backbone, big and rich with superb opulence and concentration that is drinking superbly now and can cellared through 2028. The 2018 Clos de Los Siete Red Blend has received huge accolades including Wine Spectator Top 100, many 90+pt scores, a 94pts by Suckling and wait till you taste what’s in the bottle  It will blow your doors off! This is the perfect value red for the winter months and quite honestly when ever you have a desire to pull a cork. Get your wines delivered and enjoy!