Clos de Los Siete Red Blend

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 2021 Clos de Los Siete is a touch more herbal and lively on the nose than the monotone 2022 I tasted next to it, although it doesn't shy away from a similarly creamy core. The palate is lavish and extremely polished, transitioning to a grainy finish that lingers with drying tannins and tired, hollow fruits. It's a blend of 59% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 13% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot.