Released through Winebow Imports, the new vintage garners industry acclaim
NEW YORK, NY (December 1, 2022) – Clos Apalta, the iconic Chilean wine estate of family-owned and world-renowned Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle, is excited to announce the release of its 2019 vintage in the U.S. through Winebow Imports. Born in 1997, the acclaimed wine is the product of the Bournet-Lapostolle family’s vision to magnify the exceptional terroir of Apalta with French expertise.
One of the oldest vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère in Chile, if not in the world, Clos Apalta is named for the unique location in which it sits. Protected from the elements and tucked away in the Colchagua Valley near the town of Santa Cruz, this clos, or enclosed vineyard, benefits from a distinct micro-climate, surrounded on three sides by the horseshoe shaped Andean foothills, and on the fourth side by the Tinguiririca River. The origins of the vineyard date back to the 1910s, when a visionary selected the Apalta Valley for its extraordinary terroir and planted the first vines using unique French massal selection. These vines originated from pre-phylloxera rootstock brought from Bordeaux in the middle of the 19th century.
In 1994, Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet acquired the property after visiting the Apalta Valley in search of a site to expand the family’s legacy in the New World. They quickly discovered the Valley’s potential for producing remarkable world-class wines, shaping the vineyard foot by foot and building a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery. As a result of their efforts, they successfully established Clos Apalta as one of the most iconic wines in South America.
“We are excited to release our 2019 vintage of Clos Apalta,” said Charles de Bournet, seventh-generation family member and President and CEO of Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle. “My family ventured to Chile in search of a rare canvas of climate and soil where they could cultivate an icon wine born from ideal terroir and our legendary French winemaking experience. At Clos Apalta, advanced technology works alongside nature. We envision our cellar as a tribute to the wine and the landscape of the Apalta Valley. The intention of the estate is to embody the culture of the Grands Crus. Clos Apalta is a myriad of details that blend into a miracle of balance and momentum.”
A blend of Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, the 2019 vintage of Clos Apalta is an expressive, concentrated wine showing well-constructed tannins and a persistent finish. Clos Apalta Chief Winemaker Andrea Leon describes the harvest and resulting wine: “This was a very luminous, bright and wonderful harvest that brought us beautiful vivid fruit and deep flavors in the 2019 vintage. An intense dark purple-red hue with violet edges, the wine is highly aromatic, with notes of ripe plums and dry figs, opening towards subtle spices and elegant aromas of clover and sweet spices.”
Clos Apalta consistently receives high ratings from the top wine trade publications. Its 2005 vintage was recognized as “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator in 2008, making it the only South American wine to receive this award. In addition, the 2000 and 2001 vintages were also rated by Wine Spectator as #3 and #2 wines, respectively in its annual Top 100 list. With the exceptional 2017 vintage, Clos Apalta was awarded 100 points for the third time by famed American journalist and wine critic James Suckling, solidifying its position as a pioneering Chilean wine.
Living up to its legendary status, the 2019 vintage has already received a number of accolades, including 99 points from James Suckling who included the wine at #11 on his “Top 100 Wines of the World 2022” list in November.Clos Apalta 2019 ($160) is available nationally through Winebow Imports.
About Clos Apalta – closapalta.com
Clos Apalta was established in 1997 after Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet arrived in Chile’s Colchagua Valley to expand the family’s legacy in the New World. They quickly realized the Valley’s potential for producing world-class wines, as the rugged landscape, revitalized in 1995, was home to vines originating from pre-phylloxera rootstock brought from Bordeaux in the middle of the XIX century. With generations of French winemaking tradition and expertise, Alexandra and Cyril pioneered the development of high-quality fine wines from the region. In February 2022, Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle was awarded “The Sustainability Code” Certification by Wines of Chile for all its vineyards and wineries.
About Winebow Imports – winebow.com
Winebow Imports has been an industry leader for over 40 years, representing some of the most esteemed properties from both prominent and emerging growing areas around the world. A national importer known for cultivating lasting relationships with extraordinary wine families who are dedicated to their unique regions, Winebow Imports continues to balance its impressive growth with a culture of specialization and excellence.
