Clos de los Siete is a Malbec-dominant red blend from Argentina's Uco Valley, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 94 points from James Suckling—ranked #68 in his Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2024—and another 94 points from Wine Spectator for the 2021 vintage, this wine stands among the most consistently acclaimed Argentine reds at its price tier. Its distinction lies in a unique collaborative model: four Bordeaux families contribute grapes from their individual estates, and legendary consultant Michel Rolland blends the final cuvée.Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5% | Origin: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina | Malbec-Led Blend | Blended by Michel RollandProduction & HeritageClos de los Siete draws fruit from four bodegas—Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes, and Bodega Rolland—each operated by families with deep roots in Bordeaux winemaking. The vineyards sit at roughly 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) elevation at the foot of the Andes, roughly 100 kilometers south of Mendoza city, where well-draining gravelly soils, dry climate, and natural irrigation from Andean snowmelt and underground springs converge. Grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted before gravity-flow vinification in small thermoregulated concrete vats, followed by 11 months of aging in French oak casks, one-third of which are new barrels. The blend shifts slightly each vintage but typically centers on 50–59% Malbec, supplemented by Merlot (15–24%), Cabernet Sauvignon (9–15%), Syrah (7–13%), Cabernet Franc (2–5%), and Petit Verdot (1–3%).Tasting NotesAroma: Ripe blackberries and blueberries arrive first, followed by layers of vanilla, dark chocolate, and sweet tobacco. Beneath that primary fruit, subtle hints of licorice and nut shell add complexity.Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, built around concentrated blackcurrant and plum flavors. At mid-palate, fine-grained tannins carry notes of walnut and dark chocolate, while a thread of fresh acidity keeps the medium-to-full body in balance. A subtle minerality and fennel-like herbaceousness emerge as the wine opens up.Finish: The finish is sleek and moderately long, with polished tannins that taper into lingering echoes of red fruit and cocoa. A lift of cool-climate freshness persists, keeping the close energetic rather than heavy.How to Drink Clos de los SieteThis blend rewards time in a large-bowled glass at around 16–18°C (61–64°F); twenty minutes of breathing after opening helps the aromatic layers unfold. Neat sipping is the primary serve, but its fruit density and structural grip also make it a strong cocktail and mixed-drink candidate. A Sangria Roja benefits from the wine's dark-fruit intensity and spice. A red-wine Spritz using the blend's natural acidity pairs well with sparkling water and a citrus twist. And a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well here, as the wine's tannin backbone stands up to the sweetness without losing its identity.Best For Introducing a Bordeaux-style blend lover to Argentine winemaking Weeknight dinners where you want something a clear step above everyday reds Gifting someone who appreciates Michel Rolland's winemaking philosophy Building an affordable vertical collection, as vintage variations in the blend offer year-to-year discovery Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Clos de los Siete taste like? It delivers ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit layered with dark chocolate, vanilla, and sweet tobacco, carried by polished, silky tannins and bright acidity. The overall impression is medium-to-full bodied, juicy, and refined rather than overly extracted.How does Clos de los Siete compare to Catena Zapata Malbec? Catena Zapata's flagship Malbec is a single-varietal wine emphasizing pure Malbec expression, while Clos de los Siete is a multi-grape Bordeaux-style blend assembled by Michel Rolland from four separate estates. The blending approach gives Clos de los Siete a broader flavor spectrum with more structural complexity from the supporting varieties.Is Clos de los Siete good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its polished tannin structure and layered aromatics make it an engaging neat pour, especially with 15–20 minutes of air after opening. The 14.5% ABV is well-integrated and doesn't overwhelm the fruit or acidity.Where is Clos de los Siete made? The wine is produced in the Uco Valley subregion of Mendoza, Argentina, at approximately 1,100 meters elevation at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Fruit comes from four bodegas—Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes, and Bodega Rolland—all located within this high-altitude zone.What foods pair well with Clos de los Siete? Grilled Argentine-style ribeye steak complements the wine's dark fruit and tannin structure. Slow-braised lamb shanks with rosemary echo its herbal undertones. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda mirror the cocoa and nutty finish. Empanadas filled with spiced beef match the wine's spice notes, and dark-chocolate desserts (70% cacao or higher) extend the palate's chocolate thread.What sizes does Clos de los Siete come in? Clos de los Siete is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is Clos de los Siete worth the price? Clos de los Siete positions squarely as a premium-value expression, delivering critical scores in the 91–94-point range from major publications—performance that typically commands significantly higher prices from comparable Bordeaux blends. The involvement of Michel Rolland and four dedicated Bordeaux-pedigree estates makes it one of the strongest quality-to-price propositions in Argentine wine.Why Clos de los Siete?No other Argentine wine replicates this production model: four independent Bordeaux families pooling their best Uco Valley fruit into a single cuvée, with Michel Rolland—one of the world's most influential winemakers—serving as the sole blender. The 94-point scores from both James Suckling and Wine Spectator confirm that the concept delivers substance, not just story. Gravity-flow vinification in concrete vats preserves fruit purity, while 11 months in French oak adds structure without masking the high-altitude terroir character. For drinkers who want Bordeaux-level blending ambition rooted in the distinctive climate and soils of Mendoza's Uco Valley, this wine occupies a category essentially of its own.
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