Clos du Lican Apalta Valley 2019

A new estate from the team at Clos Apalta, from 17 year old Syrah vines grown on steep east-facing granite-dominant slopes in the Apalta Valley. Sweet red cherry and crushed rocks, touch of reduction at first that opens to show richly textured raspberry, blueberry, vanilla bean, liquorice and olive tapenade, with a heady blast of fragrant raspberry leaf and violet flowers lifting things up through the finish. 100% new oak, and for me errs a little too much on the sweet side at this early stage but it’s already mouthwatering. Made in tiny quantities in 2018 (for now in the Clos Apalta cellars), this is the first full vintage, from grapes that when younger were part of the Lapostolle Cuvée Alexander. Andrea Léon technical director.