Clos Apalta 2005
The 2005 is a wine that showcases an exceptional terroir and a country's unique variety (Carmenère), thanks to the efforts of a passionate and determined winery owner in an outstanding vintage. For this, the Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2005 is our Wine of the Year for 2008.Wine Spectator 2008
Tasting Notes
COLOR
Intense inked dark red with purple hints.
NOSE
Exuberant and complex, with red and black fruit such as plums, black cherries combined with currant, berries, dry figs with black cocoa and a violet touch. Sweet spices like clover and vanilla give an elegant touch towards the finish.
PALATE
Well balanced, an elegant wine which has a bright attack followed by round, velvety and polished tannins filling the mid palate and a rich long lasting finish.
Vintage Report
APPELLATION
Apalta Valley, Colchagua, Chile.
BLEND
42% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.
HARVEST
Hand-harvested from the 8th of April, in small baskets of 13-15 kg. Coming from non irrigated 60 years old vines.
GROWING CONDITIONS
The 2004-2005 season began with a dry winter and a cold, cloudy spring. These conditions explain the delay in the budding and flowering periods, which were nearly two weeks late. Summer was quite normal and dry but during the last two weeks of February temperatures climbed, which had the effect of correcting the delays observed during the early stages of growth. The temperature decreased in March slowing down the ripening process but the month of April was exceptionally hot. Despite this, most of the harvest began later than in 2004, making this 2005 a late vintage.
VINIFICATION
100% of the grapes were hand de-stemmed. 100% of the wine was produced and bottled by gravity in our Clos Apalta Winery. The must went to 6 days cold skin contact prior to fermentation in French oak vats of 75hl. Must was fermented by wild yeasts for 10 days at 28°C followed by a 7 to 20 days post-fermentation maceration depending on the variety. The wine was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
Technical sheet
Find out more with our detailed technical sheet
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