Le Petit Clos de Clos Apalta is the second wine of Clos Apalta, born with the 2014 vintage. It originates from the same El Condor vineyard in the Apalta Valley, Colchagua — one of Chile’s most storied terroirs — using the same grapes as the Grand Vin but in different proportions and drawing on younger vines before they earn their place in the flagship blend. Situated on a rare north-to-south exposure and cradled by hills of the Coastal Cordillera, the estate spans 53 selected hectares of colluvial granitic soils between 185 and 385 meters above sea level, where wide day-to-night temperature swings slow ripening and build natural acidity and color depth.

The 2022 vintage in Apalta experienced cooler conditions, slightly smaller yields, and a slightly longer growing season. The winter was mostly dry, but the season saw 317 mm of rain, almost 50% of normal. The spring was marked by inconsistent weather, with cold September, hot October, November, and another cold December. Despite these unstable conditions, there were no recorded frosts, causing a 7 to 11-day delay in shooting and flowering. The summer saw cooler temperatures and increased sunlight in the vineyard, affecting the grapes’ growth. A careful irrigation program was crucial to protect the grapes and ensure perfect maturity. Harvesting began seven days later than last year’s, depending on the specific block. Despite the Covid-19 sanitary restrictions, the experience from previous seasons and the absence of mobility limitations made the conditions more bearable. The 2022 season was cooler but also had good conditions for fruit maturation in most varieties. The moderate temperatures during the ripening period allowed for crafting wines that expressed the different microterroirs of Apalta, with expressive fruit, good palate density and texture, balance, and excellent aging potential.

Beautiful red robe with dark cherry edges. The nose is expressive with red fruit, with spices and well integrated oak with sweet spices. On the palate, ripe red fruit opens up toward complex structure with vivid tannins and long and lasting finish.