Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Apalta

Clos du Lican represents a technical shift for the Bournet-Lapostolle family, moving away from the multi-variety blends of the original Clos Apalta. This wine is a monovarietal Syrah sourced from a specific high-altitude plot on the granite-rich slopes of the Apalta Valley. The vineyard’s orientation and unique soil composition provide a cooler microclimate, allowing the fruit to achieve physiological ripeness without losing its structural integrity. It is positioned as a prestige bottling that highlights the potential of Chile’s most distinct granitic terroirs.

In the cellar, the winemaking team employs traditional methods to manage the power of the Syrah grape. The fruit is hand-destemmed before undergoing fermentation in small French oak vats using native yeasts. To refine the wine’s natural density, it matures for 24 months in new French oak barriques. This extended ageing period is essential for integrating the tannins and developing the wine's aromatic complexity. The result is a precise, technically accomplished red built for decades of development.

The nose consistently offers blackberry, white pepper, and smoked meat, underpinned by a distinct mineral streak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and concentrated, showing layers of dark plum, liquorice, and black olive. The tannin structure is firm yet polished, providing a long, savoury finish that balances the fruit's ripeness. It is an authoritative, world-class Syrah that offers a clear alternative to the great wines of the Northern Rhône.