The second-to-none Le Petit Clos… CAUSE THE BIG SCORES SAY SO.

This is Le Petit Clos 2022, and it comes from the exact same Apalta organically farmed vineyard as its $109 big brother (One of the few South American reds to ever win Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year.) for just $45?!?

As James Suckling says, “there’s no doubt that Clos Apalta is one of the world’s greatest red wines.”

Clos Apalta being a former winner of Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year award emphasizes that “the wine’s price has remained relatively modest through the years, considering the investment behind it, particularly so in comparison to prices for benchmark wines from regions such as Bordeaux, Napa, and Tuscany” makes Le Petit Clos the top bargain of the Southern Hemisphere? Maybe beyond?

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous echoes that “Clos Apalta is the jewel in the crown of the Bournet family, who also own Lapostolle. From a winery hewn into the granite rock of Apalta and with winemaking overseen by the renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, they make only two wines, both in the Bordelais style: Clos Apalta and Le Petit Clos, two Carménère-based blends.” He also went on to praise this wine..”long, rich finish”

Thanks to the best deal you can get on this extreme collectible anywhere. And what did we think of it? Definitely a chip of the old block, the perfect one to visit often while the big boy sleeps in your stash for that special occasion. 59% Carménère, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.

In the glass it is dark garnet, almost inky. Ripe blueberry, blackcurrant, black cherry lead the charge, followed by toasted spice, pepper, dark chocolate, dark plums. The palate comes in soft and savory, silky tannins wrapped around a full, round core, finishing long and graceful. Its drinking great out of the bottle, but tons of life to cellar too!

At this price, there is not much to think of.

Not much allocated on this one either, so when this is gone. Don’t sleep on it.

96 Points - James Suckling - “A deep, complex nose with multiple layers of graphite, dark olives, blackberries and dark chocolate. Really fine-grained, powdery tannins with ripe and juicy fruit. A touch of pepper at the end, followed by a lengthy finish. Fresh and slightly opulent. 59% Carménère, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Drink or hold.”

94 Points - Vinous - ”The 2022 Le Petit Clos is composed of 59% Carménère, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot from Apalta. It opens with black fruit aromas of blackberry and ripe plum, followed by hints of spice and ash. Oak and camphor emerge in the background. Broad and flavorful, with well-managed grip and juicy texture, this finishes with herbal nuances and lingering pyrazines. A cool year brought agility and lift, which shape the long, rich finish. - Joaquín Hidalgo”