Winemaker Notes
#53 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
Clos de los Siete 2018 has a beautiful deep red color with glints of ruby. The nose is characterized by intense, complex aromatic expression with scents of dark fruit, blackberries and blueberries, and floral notes accompanied by delicate hints of spice. The palate is generous, silky and full-bodied. The blend presents a remarkable balance between well-rounded tannins, intense fruit, and good concentration. This wine has a characteristic freshness and beautiful length on the palate. Seductive, elegant and complex, it has great potential to improve with age
Blend: 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot , 2% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ripe plum, black cherry, lavender and cocoa on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and rounded with a plush, deep core of dark fruit. Lingering crushed-hazelnut notes on a long, concentrated finish. Drink or hold.
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The Somm Journal
Luscious and savory—and what a steal. Aromas of charcuterie, blackberry preserves, and roasted coffee are inviting. Chewy, supple tannins join notes of grilled meat, ripe black fruit, chocolate, and mulberry to add up to a broad-shouldered, complex, and delicious blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 12% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (plus small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cab Franc).
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Wine Enthusiast
Clos de los Siete almost never fails, and this version from a ripe and easy vintage is just that: ripe and easy. Inky blackberry and black cur-rant aromas show a waft of campfire creosote, while this feels big and round, with plenty of mouth-blackening fruit. Oak-aided blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors come with a hint of herbs, while the finish is smooth and mild. Drink through 2023. Editors’ Choice
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I think the 2018 Clos de Los Siete is the finest vintage of this blend that I've tasted so far. In this cooler year, it's a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It has good ripeness (14.5%), juicy but fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and fine tannins. Seventy percent of the wine matured in 225-liter French barriques for 11 months. Instant gratification at a great price. 988,000 bottles produced.
Rating: 91(+) -
Wine Spectator
Dense and powerful, with plenty of loamy notes to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors that show creamy accents. Ends with dark chocolate on the finish. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2024.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.