Le Petit Clos de Clos Apalta

Le Petit Clos de Clos Apalta

Le Petit Clos is a different interpretation of the Clos Apalta Terroir, using the mastery of blending that is the heart of the winemaking philosophy from the Domaines Bournet - Lapostolle.  

The 2016 season began with a dry winter (484 mm v 610 mm on average between May and September). The heaviest rainfall was in August, with 239 mm.  Spring was cooler and had more rainfall than normal, in particular from mid-September to mid-November, resulting in “coulure” and “millerandage”. After fruit set, we noted a fall in yields due to loose, light bunches. Summer was particularly hot and dry. February 2016, and the last ten days in particular, was one of the hottest in recent years, with temperature variations reaching as high as 30°C (37.5°C  in  the  day  and  7.7°C  at  night).  Temperatures  fell significantly  in March with the autumnal equinox, and April brought unusually heavy rainfall (117 mm from the 
14th to the 17th).

In short, budding was delayed due to a cold spring and the arrival of El Niño. With delays to flowering and fruit set, the 2016 season saw most phenological stages lagging behind, but a hot summer with excellent conditions helped to produce beautiful grapes.
 

Tasting Notes

Deep and intense red color with purple and cherry edges. Intense fruit expression with black fruit such as maqui berry and cassis well mixed with red fruit such as cherry and plums. Slightly spiced with anise and cedar notes. Delicate fresh violets fragrance. Big structure and good volume, balance with a remarkable acidity

Le Petit Clos is a different interpretation of the Clos Apalta Terroir, using the mastery of blending that is the heart of the winemaking philosophy from the Domaines Bournet - Lapostolle.  

The 2016 season began with a dry winter (484 mm v 610 mm on average between May and September). The heaviest rainfall was in August, with 239 mm.  Spring was cooler and had more rainfall than normal, in particular from mid-September to mid-November, resulting in “coulure” and “millerandage”. After fruit set, we noted a fall in yields due to loose, light bunches. Summer was particularly hot and dry. February 2016, and the last ten days in particular, was one of the hottest in recent years, with temperature variations reaching as high as 30°C (37.5°C  in  the  day  and  7.7°C  at  night).  Temperatures  fell significantly  in March with the autumnal equinox, and April brought unusually heavy rainfall (117 mm from the 
14th to the 17th).

In short, budding was delayed due to a cold spring and the arrival of El Niño. With delays to flowering and fruit set, the 2016 season saw most phenological stages lagging behind, but a hot summer with excellent conditions helped to produce beautiful grapes.
 

Tasting Notes

Deep and intense red color with purple and cherry edges. Intense fruit expression with black fruit such as maqui berry and cassis well mixed with red fruit such as cherry and plums. Slightly spiced with anise and cedar notes. Delicate fresh violets fragrance. Big structure and good volume, balance with a remarkable acidity

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Condor de Apalta
Soil composition:
Colluvial granitic soils well decomposed over different layers of clay.
Training method:
Espalier
Harvest time:
March - April
First vintage of this wine:
2014
Average Vine Age:
90
Certifying Organizations:
Demeter

Winemaking & Aging

Prefermentation Technique:
Native yeast
Time on its skins:
Up to 5 weeks
Varietal composition:
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Carmenere
Fermentation container:
Small French Oak Vats
Maceration technique:
Gentle manual punch down
Fining agent:
Not fined, cold stabilized or filtered.
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
23 Months
Age of Aging Container:
20% New, 32% Second Use, 48% Third Use French Oak Barrels

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.47
Acidity:
3.43 g/L
Alcohol:
14.5 %
Residual sugar:
2.94 g/L

About the Vineyard

Apalta is located at 170 Kilometers South West from Santiago in the Colchagua Valley. The Vineyard is situated on a North to South exposure, which is quite rare in Chile. This geography is responsible for the conditions that ensure balance for our vines and a slow ripening for the grapes.