2005 Casa Lapostolle “Clos Apalta”

Posted on February 20, 2009 by pcook

Spectator’s #1 wine of 2008 -

One word synopsis -

Underwhelming – Paul
Mediocre – Carol
Obscure- Diana
Messy – Jimmy

I have had this wine twice in the last week only because I couldn’t believe how disappointed I was in this wine the first time, and thought I should try it again to give it a fair shake. Wine Spectator rated the Clos Apalta their #1 wine of 2008 and scored it a 96. I am almost always in agreement with their scores, and am almost never more than a point north or south of their ratings. On the Clos Apalta, I am knowhere nearly as enthused about this wine as WS is. I wrote this blog originally on the 20th, and when I was reviewing the wine again last night, and when I decided to look at the post and compare my thoughts I discovered the post was mostly deleted. I will try rebuild my original impressions and some from last night.

Winery: Casa Lapostolle

Vintage: 2005

Country: Chile

Region: Colchagua Valley

Vineyard: Clos Apalta

Varietal: 42% Carmenere, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot

Notes: 5,987 cases made, aged 24 Months in 100% new French oak barrels. Unfinned and unfiltered. Fermentation is completed in 21 small French wooden vats as well.

Tasting: Deep dark ruby red color. The aroma is very one demensional dark fruit with no real complexity other than a little dry bush. While I do appreciate a judicious use of oak, giving this wine time to breath only muddles the nose and brings the heavy oak to the front where it strongly over powers the fruit IMO, and as Gary Vaynerchuk would say “Aahhhh the oak monster!!!”. On the palate the wine is very hard, and austere, a little astringent, very coarse, and sharp through to an abbreviated finish. The acidity is out of balance with the fruit and makes it hard to really enjoy. If you have already purchased this wine, don’t drink it now unless you really like heavy oak. I would lay this down for a few years and it should be much better as the oak falls out.

Not trying to be mean, just trying to be very honest, and not sold out to someone’s score.