Clos Apalta Apalta Valley Clos Apalta Prélude 2022

Crisp crunchy fruit, vivid, edges of sour cherry and high dried herbs, spice and fresh acidities giving an emphasis on floral character. Some rosebud and tomato leaf alongside, and a bitter finish. It’s attractive, with slate lift to the tannins. Harvest began March 11, a few days later than 2021. 17% new oak barrels for ageing, 3.6ph. This is a new wine in the Clos Apalta range, with around 3,000 cases from grapes usually declassified into Lapostelle. Cool dry vintage with 35% lower yields than 2021. Andrea Léon technical director.