Clos de Los Siete Red Blend 2021

This shows aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries, vanilla, licorice, dark chocolate and sweet tobacco. Hints of nut shell, too. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, polished tannins and a sleek, silky texture. Juicy, with delicious fruit on the palate and notes of walnuts and chocolate to close. Firm, flavorful finish.

The 2021 Red Blend comes from Campo de los Andes in the Uco Valley. It is a blend of 55% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, 70% aged in a third new oak barrels with the remainder going into steel tanks. A rich purple in hue. The nose presents a complex array of aromas ranging from plum and blackberry to violets, ash and oak. It's dry and juicy on the palate, with refined tannins and well-balanced acidity. Concentrated and long-lasting, the cool vintage brought an extra dimension.

The 2019 Clos de Los Siete comes from a very good, ripe and complete vintage. The wine is 50% Malbec, 24% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot with similar alcohol as other years (14.5%) but with less ripeness sensation. It's floral, aromatic, expressive and showy, juicy, fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and round tannins. Seventy percent of the wine matured in 225-liter French barriques, one-third new, for 11 months. Best after 2022.

Slightly more vibrant and fresh, yet not as opulent or concentrated as the 2020, the 2021 Clos De Los Siete comes from a cooler year and is based on 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, all of which spent 11 months in a mix of new and used barrels, as well as a touch in tank. This deeper ruby/purple-hued effort offers a perfumed, complex nose of ripe red and blue fruits, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and exotic spices. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it's balanced and has beautiful tannins, a nicely integrated spine of acidity, and outstanding length. This elegant 2021 benefits from a decant and is going to evolve gracefully over the coming 10-12+ years if well stored.

A soft and approachable red, with generous and well-spiced cherry and raspberry flavors, backed by herbal twinges on the silky finish. Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 23,000 cases imported.