2017 Clos de Luz "Massal 1945" Malbec Rapel Valley

94DC

92JS

91RP

$13.99

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Decanter

Reviewed September 2019

2017 was warm in the Central Valley, and to counteract it, the grapes for this were harvested earlier to obtain its delicate, fresh and vibrant fruity notes. Polished tannins envelop cherry flavours and herbal tones. (PT)

Professional Reviews

James Suckling

Review Date: 04/2019

Quite a generous and warm Malbec with plenty of supple tannins and some power. The mixed-berry aromas, plus some chocolate notes, are quite complex. Long and rather elegant, dry finish.

Wine Advocate

Review Date: 02/2020

I was able to taste the 2017 Massal 1945 Cabernet Sauvignon next to the 2018 and compare these two vintages that had very different climate conditions. 2017 was warm and dry and saw one of the hottest summers ever, which resulted in a very early harvest and lower yields. The wine fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in well-seasoned 300-liter oak barrels and one 7,000-liter oak foudre for 12 months. It is quite fresh, balanced and varietal, quite surprising for the conditions of the year. In fact, it feels a bit leaner than the 2018 I tasted next to it. It has the fine tannins of the variety, serious and tasty. (LG) 91+

Jancis Robinson

Review Date: 02/2020

So much earthiness, almost mescal/tequila-esque with a wild berry and leathery note. Lots of coffee and spice, yet this is not a bruiser. An elegant and refined wine with textured and powdery tannins that are still resolving. Impressive, polished and with a long finish. (AC) 17/20

Staff Reviews

Kirk Walker

Wow! that’s a Malbec! And from the other side of the Andes. Mixed red and dark fruits, floral and spicy. With just enough aromatic lift but great depth on the nose. There is a lot to this wine. More wow on the palate, as bright ripe fruits wash over the palate, with very easy tannins. With a little air the wine darkens; the dark berries, fruit blossom, and the spice and earth become a little more apparent. The wine is soft and concentrated, yet is fresh; has drive, but no edges. The tannins are very soft, and there is a touch of earth in the finish. Words fail to capture this Malbec. It is exceptional.

Notes

We are very excited to be offering wines from our newest direct import from Chile, Clos de Luz. Located in the Almahue Valley sub region of the Rapel Valley. Almahue Valley is located 70 miles SouthEast of Santiago, 40 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 28 miles from the Andes Mountains. The Clos de Luz estate was first planted by the current owners great grandfather in 1892, it now spreads over 33 hectares of vineyards planted in granitic soil with quartz components of volcanic origins. The oldest vines now date back to 1945 and were planted by their grandmother, Luz. They are some of the oldest Carménère vineyards in Chile, and probably in the world. The domaine’s vineyards are 100% ungrafted and massal selections. The vineyards are certified sustainable. The grapes are hand harvested, with strict fruit selection. The fruit is gently extracted then vinified and raised with minimal interventions. These wines are elegant with depth and complexity but most importantly they showcase the uniqueness of their special origin.

Details

Origin	Chile
Type/Varietal	Malbec
Alcohol Content	14%
SKU	1443341