2007 Clos de los siete, Michel Rolland

Mendoza, Argentina

Color: Red
Name: Clos de los siete
Vineyard: Michel Rolland
Type: Malbec 48%, Merlot 28%, Cabernet S. 12%, Syrah 12%
Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Year: 2007
Price: $18.00
Rating: 5.2
Pocho's Pick
Review: 92 pts Jay Miller WA The 2006 Clos de los Siete is a slightly different blend with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Opaque purple-colored, it has a similar expressive nose including fragrant plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit. It will evolve for several years but who will have the willpower to defer gratification? It is an awesome value. Clos de los Siete is a project of Michel Rolland. The vineyard, located about 60 miles south of Mendoza at about 3000 feet of elevation, has 300 acres in production with another 875 planted A collaborative project by seven producers under the banner of Michel Rolland, this is a blend of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Very dark in the glass, this is not a shy wine: it's 15% alcohol, and the grapes are picked quite late, by hand, before undergoing a cold pre-ferment maceration. The dominant feature here is sweet, lush, dark fruits. The oak, which gives a spicy sheen, is very much in the background. There's some structure here, with grippy tannins hiding under the sweet fruit, and overall the wine is savoury in character. My verdict? While this is clearly a modern, new world-style red, with its tannic structure it retains balance, and if you can get over the alcoholic heat, then this is a great companion to the usual Argentinean fare of large quantities of steak. Although it's not my favourite style, this is a wine I'd happily recommend to people who are new to wine because the sweetness of fruit makes it so accessible, and it offers great value for money. 90/100 The Clos de las Siete is a medium-bodied, dry red blend. It needs to breathe for a minimum of 30 minutes to unlock its potential. The Malbec base is rounded out nicely with merlot, cabernet and syrah. For under $20 this is a real winner.
Comments: A blend with 50% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. Opaque purplecolored, it has a similar expressive nose including fragrant plum, blueberry, and black cherry. Ripe, sweet, and seamless, it admirably hides its tannin under all the fruit. It will evolve for several years but who will have the will power to defer gratification? It is an awesome value.

The Nillni's Great Wine Tasting Adventure

2007 Clos de los siete, Michel Rolland