Clos Apalta, Vinothèque, 2014

"This was the first 100-point wine from here with such aromas of fresh herbs and dark berry and floral undertones. Hot stone character. Full body, very linear and ultra-fine tannins. The precision and perfection here is impressive, as it has always been. A blend of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Drink or hold."

"A 10-year-old library release - the third in a row for Clos Apalta with 'Vinothèque on the label differentiating this release (ex-estate in 2022) from the original in 2016. Black fruits on the nose, cool and fresh with dried herbs and graphite minerality - lovely complexity with lots of fragrant aromas. Thick and filling on the palate, a round wine, not heavy, juicy but concentrated and full of life. This has substance, not muscle, it’s chiselled but this carries some power. You can smell the richness in the full fruit. It has a nice frame though, settles around the mouth with good persistence from start to finish. Feels like it has more life left, but there is a sense of heat and oak around the edges, spiced and a touch imposing on the finish although great acidity keeps the lift. I like the expression, cool and fresh yet still determined. Ageing 28 months in 100% new French oak, 225 litre barrels. 3.66pH."

"A library release from the estate at its 10 year window. The 100% new oak remains present and smoky even at the decade mark (today they have brought that down to around 75% new) but it softens to show beautiful creamy damson fruit with pencil lead and liqourice, plenty of density through the mid palate to keep momentum, and this easily has another decade ahead of it . A relatievely cool vintage but there is still a flash of heat on finish. The label says 'Vinothèque, this bottle was released from the cellar of Clos Apalta in 2022'. 100% new oak ageing, unfiltered and unfined."