From the Winery
“Clos de Los Siete’s extraordinary terroir, with well-drained sandy-clay soil complemented by a good density of pebbles, has the particularity of containing the vines’ growth and ensuring perfect maturity. The 2020 vintage has a deep ruby-red colour and aromas of black fruit and plums combined with delicate floral notes. The palate is pleasantly powerful, with good length and elegant, silky tannins.”
94 Points James Suckling – “A pretty profound nose with hints of mineral, wild herbs, violets and asphalt on top of the currants and blackberries. A twist of herbs and cocoa powder. Medium- to full-bodied with a supple, round mid-palate and a juicy, sleek finish. Tannins are soft and really polished. Pleasing, but pretty dry. Nothing sweet here. Beautiful balance. 55% malbec, 16% merlot, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 9% syrah, 3% petit verdot and 2% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.”
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck – “A smoking value, the 2020 (55% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc) reveals a healthy purple hue as well as darker fruits and a pure, lively bouquet that includes lots of blueberries, spring flowers, leaf herbs, and violets. Nicely textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it drinks as if it cost 2-3 times the price. It should evolve for 4-6 years, and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve longer as well.”
92 Points Antonio Galloni – “The 2020 Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland is a blend of 55% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 9% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc from the Uco Valley. It was two-thirds aged for 11 months in new and used barrels. Garnet red in the glass. The nose presents fresh plum, blueberries and herbs along with aromas from the aging process and hints of spice, bay leaf and thyme. Intense and free-flowing with refined tannins and moderate juice, this was fine-tuned for a warm year.”
92 Points Wine Enthusiast – “Clos de los Siete almost never fails, and this version from a ripe and easy vintage is just that: ripe and easy. Inky blackberry and black currant aromas show a waft of campfire creosote, while this feels big and round, with plenty of mouth-blackening fruit. Oak-aided blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors come with a hint of herbs, while the finish is smooth and mild. Drink through 2023.”
91 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – “The 2020 Clos de Los Siete has a darker and riper profile, juicy and round, with volume and glycerin but with fine tannins and refreshing flavors. It was produced with a blend of 55% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, slightly higher in Malbec in this warmer year. Production was shorter, 805,000 bottles. It was bottled in March 2022.”
A little info about Michel Rolland
Michel Rolland (born December 24, 1947) is a Bordeaux-based oenologist, with hundreds of clients across 13 countries and influencing wine style around the world. “It is his consultancies outside France that have set him apart from all but a handful of his countrymen.” It is frequently addressed that his signature style, which he helps wineries achieve, is fruit-heavy and oak-influenced, a preference shared by influential critic Robert Parker.
Rolland owns several properties in Bordeaux, including Château Bertineau Saint-Vincent in Lalande de Pomerol, Château Rolland-Maillet in Saint-Émilion, Château Fontenil in Fronsac, and Château La Grande Clotte in Lussac-Saint-Émilion as well as joint venture partnerships with Bonne Nouvelle in South Africa, Val de Flores in Argentina, Rolland Galarreta in Spain and Yacochuya (Salta) and Clos de los Siete in Argentina.
